Effects of CO2 in fungi

Abstract

Carbon dioxide supplies carbon for photosynthetic species and is a major product of respiration for all life forms. Inside the human body where CO₂ is a by-product of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, its level reaches 5% or higher. In the ambient atmosphere, ∼.04% of the air is CO₂. Different organisms can tolerate different CO₂ levels to various degrees, and experiencing higher CO₂ is toxic and can lead to death. The fungal kingdom shows great variations in response to CO₂ that has been documented by different researchers at different time periods. This literature review aims to connect these studies, highlight mechanisms underlying tolerance to high levels of CO₂, and emphasize the effects of CO₂ on fungal metabolism and morphogenesis.