NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of moulds (fungi). Moulds that can produce mycotoxins grow on numerous foodstuffs such as cereals, dried fruits, nuts and spices.

Detailed explanation-2: -Fungi absorb nutrients from the environment through mycelia. The branching mycelia have a high surface-area-to-volume ratio which allows for efficient absorption of nutrients. Some fungi digest nutrients by releasing enzymes into the environment.

Detailed explanation-3: -Fungi can produce mycotoxins in grains if they parasitize the host plants during growth or else grow as saprophytes on grains during harvest and storage. Different mycotoxins can disrupt critical hormonal systems, damage organs, compromise the immune system, or cause cancer.

Detailed explanation-4: -Aflatoxins, citrinin, fumonisins, fusaric acid, moniliformin, AAL-toxins and alternariol are some of the important fungal toxins responsible for causing economic losses to agriculture, spoilage of food that are often fatal to living systems.