Hyphae of bread mould that penetrate the substrate?

Question: Hyphae of bread mould that penetrate the substrate?

Bread mould is a type of fungus that grows on bread and other food items. It belongs to the group of fungi called Zygomycetes, which produce spores inside a sac-like structure called a zygosporangium. One of the most common bread moulds is Rhizopus stolonifer, also known as black bread mould.

Bread mould has two types of hyphae, which are the thread-like structures that make up the body of the fungus. The first type is called stolons, which grow along the surface of the bread and produce rhizoids, which are root-like structures that penetrate the bread and absorb nutrients. The second type is called sporangiophores, which grow vertically from the stolons and produce sporangia, which are spherical structures that contain spores.

The hyphae of bread mould that penetrate the substrate are the rhizoids. They are important for the survival and reproduction of the fungus, as they provide a source of food and water. They also help to anchor the fungus to the substrate and prevent it from being dislodged by air currents or other factors. The rhizoids can also secrete enzymes that break down complex molecules in the bread into simpler ones that can be absorbed by the fungus.