mold, name for certain multicellular organisms of the various classes of the kingdom Fungi Fungi (fŭn`jī), kingdom of heterotrophic single-celled, multinucleated, or multicellular organisms, including yeasts, molds, and
..... Click the link for more information. , characteristically having bodies composed of a cottony mycelium. The colors of molds are caused by the spores, which are borne on the mycelium. Most molds are saprobes and can obtain moisture and nutriment from fruits, vegetables, jelly, cheese, butter, bread, silage, and almost any dead organic matter. Among the commonest forms is the black bread mold (Rhizopus nigricans), which grows on decaying vegetables and fruits as well as on bread. Some molds, e.g., species of Penicillium, are useful in the preparation of Camembert, Roquefort, and other cheeses. Penicillin penicillin, any of a group of chemically similar substances obtained from molds of the genus Penicillium that were the first antibiotic agents to be used successfully in the treatment of bacterial infections in humans.
..... Click the link for more information. and other antibiotic substances are also obtained from molds. A few molds are pathogenic, e.g., those which cause ringworm and other skin diseases and several which cause diseases of plants diseases of plants. Most plant diseases are caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Although the term disease is usually used only for the destruction of live plants, the action of dry rot and the rotting of harvested crops in storage or transport is similar
..... Click the link for more information. . Some molds produce toxic chemicals called mycotoxins that can cause serious diseases (see ergot ergot (ûr`gət), disease of rye and other cereals caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.
..... Click the link for more information. ). Some organisms traditionally thought to be mold (e.g., slime molds slime mold or slime fungus, a heterotrophic organism once regarded as a fungus but later classified with the Protista . In a recent system of classification based on analysis of nucleic acid (genetic material) sequences, slime molds have been
..... Click the link for more information. ) have now been placed in the kingdom Protista Protista (prōtĭs`tə) or Protoctista
..... Click the link for more information. .
In biology, a conspicuous mass of mycelium and fruiting structures produced by various fungi (division Mycota; see fungus). Molds of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus are associated with food spoilage and plant diseases, but some have beneficial uses, as in the manufacture of antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) and certain cheeses. Neurospora, or orange bread mold, has been invaluable in the study of biochemical genetics. Water molds live in fresh or brackish water or wet soils, absorbing dead or decaying organic matter. See also slime mold.
mould1 (US), mold
mould2 (US), mold
mould (US), mold
mold [mōld]
..... Click the link for more information. , characteristically having bodies composed of a cottony mycelium. The colors of molds are caused by the spores, which are borne on the mycelium. Most molds are saprobes and can obtain moisture and nutriment from fruits, vegetables, jelly, cheese, butter, bread, silage, and almost any dead organic matter. Among the commonest forms is the black bread mold (Rhizopus nigricans), which grows on decaying vegetables and fruits as well as on bread. Some molds, e.g., species of Penicillium, are useful in the preparation of Camembert, Roquefort, and other cheeses. Penicillin penicillin, any of a group of chemically similar substances obtained from molds of the genus Penicillium that were the first antibiotic agents to be used successfully in the treatment of bacterial infections in humans.
..... Click the link for more information. and other antibiotic substances are also obtained from molds. A few molds are pathogenic, e.g., those which cause ringworm and other skin diseases and several which cause diseases of plants diseases of plants. Most plant diseases are caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Although the term disease is usually used only for the destruction of live plants, the action of dry rot and the rotting of harvested crops in storage or transport is similar
..... Click the link for more information. . Some molds produce toxic chemicals called mycotoxins that can cause serious diseases (see ergot ergot (ûr`gət), disease of rye and other cereals caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.
..... Click the link for more information. ). Some organisms traditionally thought to be mold (e.g., slime molds slime mold or slime fungus, a heterotrophic organism once regarded as a fungus but later classified with the Protista . In a recent system of classification based on analysis of nucleic acid (genetic material) sequences, slime molds have been
..... Click the link for more information. ) have now been placed in the kingdom Protista Protista (prōtĭs`tə) or Protoctista
..... Click the link for more information. .
Bibliography
See M. K. Matossian, Poisons of the Past: Molds, Epidemics, and History (1989).
mold
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Mold on surface of jelly
(credit: (Left) Ingmar Holmasen, (right) Stephen Collins)
mold
In manufacturing, a cavity or surface in which a fluid or plastic substance is shaped into a desired finished product. A molten substance, such as metal or plastic, is poured or forced into a mold and allowed to harden. Molds are made of various materials, depending on the application; sand is frequently used for metal casting, hardened steel for molds for plastic materials, and plaster for various purposes. See also ingot, patternmaking, tool and die making.
Mold
Town (pop., 1995 est.: 9,000), historic and present county of Flintshire, northeastern Wales. Situated between the industrial centres of Deeside and Wrexham, it grew up around a motte-and-bailey castle built by the Normans in the 12th century. In the area native Briton Christians had defeated the pagan Picts and Scots in a battle waged in AD 430. Long a market hub, it is the administrative centre and historic county seat of Flintshire.
mould1 (US), mold
1. a shaped cavity used to give a definite form to fluid or plastic material
2. something shaped in or made on a mould
mould2 (US), mold
1. a coating or discoloration caused by various saprotrophic fungi that develop in a damp atmosphere on the surface of stored food, fabrics, wallpaper, etc.
2. any of the fungi that causes this growth
mould (US), mold
loose soil, esp when rich in organic matter
mold [mōld]
(engineering)
A pattern or template used as a guide in construction.
A cavity which imparts its form to a fluid or malleable substance.
(engineering acoustics)
The metal part derived from the master by electroforming in reproducing disk recordings; has grooves similar to those of the recording.
(geology)
Soft, crumbling friable earth.
(graphic arts)
To form a plastic substance by placing it in a matrix or form.
The form or matrix for shaping a plastic substance.
(mycology)
Any of various woolly fungus growths.
(paleontology)
An impression made in rock or earth material by an inner or outer surface of a fossil shell or other organic structure; a complete mold would be the hollow space.
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