Psilocybe: Difference between revisions

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=2. Description and significance=
=2. Description and significance=
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
The genus Psilocybe composes the fungi known as “magic mushrooms.” These are psychedelic mushrooms that produce the metabolite psilocybin (2). Members of this genus are distributed worldwide and are able to grow in most biomes. The greatest species diversity is found in the neotropic zone, specifically Mexico, while other important members are found in the forests of Japan and China (2,3). This genus is important because of the increasing use of its hallucinogenic molecule as a recreational psychedelic drug, as well as its potential use in alleviating the symptoms of certain mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (4,5). How and why these mushrooms make this molecule is unknown, and current research continues to focus on its effects as opposed to its purpose in the fungi.
*Include as many headings as are relevant to your microbe. Consider using the headings below, as they will allow readers to quickly locate specific information of major interest*
 
=3. Genome structure=
=3. Genome structure=
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Revision as of 15:27, 5 December 2021

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1. Classification

a. Higher order taxa

The genus Psilocybe is of the domain Fungi, the phylum Basidiomycota, the class Agaricomycetes, the order Agaricales, and the family Strophariaceae (1).

2. Description and significance

The genus Psilocybe composes the fungi known as “magic mushrooms.” These are psychedelic mushrooms that produce the metabolite psilocybin (2). Members of this genus are distributed worldwide and are able to grow in most biomes. The greatest species diversity is found in the neotropic zone, specifically Mexico, while other important members are found in the forests of Japan and China (2,3). This genus is important because of the increasing use of its hallucinogenic molecule as a recreational psychedelic drug, as well as its potential use in alleviating the symptoms of certain mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (4,5). How and why these mushrooms make this molecule is unknown, and current research continues to focus on its effects as opposed to its purpose in the fungi.

3. Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

4. Cell structure

Interesting features of cell structure. Can be combined with “metabolic processes”

5. Metabolic processes

Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).

6. Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

7. Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

8. Current Research

Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose

9. References

It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.