Psychological Contracts in Organizations

Journal Article for Speech Class free essay sample

Your vocal introduction is significant while conveying a discourse. Vocal conveyance incorporates rate, volume, and pitch. Vocal conveyance causes us draw in and intrigue the crowd and it guarantees that our thoughts are imparted unmistakably. Pace of talking is the means by which quick or moderate you talk. The pace of talking ought to be in center as talking too quick the crowd won't assimilate all data and talking too moderate will lose crowd consideration. To control pace of talking one should rehearse your discourse and can likewise remember suggestions to back off for your talking layout. Volume is the manner by which noisy or delicate your voice is.While giving a discourse your volume ought to be in center range as uproarious volume is considered as domineering or irritating and delicate volume is decided as excessively delicate. Pitch alludes to how high or low a speakers voice is. Our pitch goes up when we are talking about something energizing and it goes down when we are examining something genuine. We will compose a custom exposition test on Diary Article for Speech Class or then again any comparative theme explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page As I would see it the article Vocal Delivery appeared to be extremely useful. It examined a portion of the key focuses that are significant during your introduction. The article gives a few rules to control three principle segments of vocal conveyance: rate, volume, and pitch. This article would be useful to new speakers.Overall, I would urge individuals to peruse the article and apply a few strategies in their introduction. At the point when I present, my pace of talking is excessively quick. That will in general occur as I become anxious and stage fear. In the wake of perusing this article, I would attempt to work on talking moderate when I practice and put updates In my framework. I additionally will in general be extremely excited about my subject, which I would likewise control by more practice (potentially before pundits). In conclusion, I would Just remain quiet and talk certainly.

MindMeister Wins 2008 Innovation Award

MindMeister Wins 2008 Innovation Award Its been a good week great weather, more user registrations than ever before, and finally the news that MindMeister has won the 2008 Innovation Award of the german SMB Initiative in the category Web 2.0! MindMeister was selected from over 1600 submitted tools and sites and they said we should be duly proud (well, we are!) The prize is awarded to software tools particularly suited for use in small and medium businesses. So my colleague Till just came back from CeBIT in Hanover where the prize was awarded and the glass trophy fits snugly beside last years design award. Your first award is always special of course, but when they give you a second one you know it wasnt just a fluke! Well take this as an incentive to keep working hard on our online mind mapping tool and improve it for all our users in releases to come. See some pictures of the award ceremony or read the official press release (german only, Im sorry guys). Get Started with Mind Mapping Try MindMeister MindMeister Wins 2008 Innovation Award Its been a good week great weather, more user registrations than ever before, and finally the news that MindMeister has won the 2008 Innovation Award of the german SMB Initiative in the category Web 2.0! MindMeister was selected from over 1600 submitted tools and sites and they said we should be duly proud (well, we are!) The prize is awarded to software tools particularly suited for use in small and medium businesses. So my colleague Till just came back from CeBIT in Hanover where the prize was awarded and the glass trophy fits snugly beside last years design award. Your first award is always special of course, but when they give you a second one you know it wasnt just a fluke! Well take this as an incentive to keep working hard on our online mind mapping tool and improve it for all our users in releases to come. See some pictures of the award ceremony or read the official press release (german only, Im sorry guys). Get Started with Mind Mapping Try MindMeister

The Major Gaps Present in the Companys Current Safety Management of Blue Coral Copter Free Essay Example, 3250 words

While other management practices could be employed to safety management but the greater chances are that such management would not be able to deal with the challenges of safety effectively. This may occur because safety presents myriad aspects that might need management and this may occur because safety management requires investing large costs. In other instances, the use of safety management styles other than SMS may cause the workers to complain about curtailed workability and the ensuing complication after safety management styles are implemented. In contrast to other safety management practices and styles, a properly structured SMS ensures that a business-friendly approach to safety management is taken. This ensures that safety management is a component of core business values and not the other way around when safety management overshadows operational practices. The SMS is often a well structured systematic, explicit and comprehensive process that is utilized in order to identi fy and manage risks. When compared to other management systems for other functions, an SMS provides for goal setting along with planning and measurement of performance. The implementation of the SMS is carried out in a manner that makes it an integral part of the fabric of the subject business organization. We will write a custom essay sample on The Major Gaps Present in the Companys Current Safety Management of Blue Coral Copter or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The SMS should become part of the company culture such that the SMS is taken as the natural and most obvious method of getting things done by employees (Transport Canada, 2009). The SMS also ensures that safety management is implemented such that risks and hazards are reduced to lower levels such that their management is more practicable and poses no serious threat to employees and other stakeholders. The contention behind an SMS is not the elimination of risks and hazards because it is often not possible due to practical considerations such as workability, cost amongst others. Instead of an SMS look at managing risks and hazards such that they are easier to manage for the people who are involved with these risks and hazards in one way or the other.

What Does The Meaning Of Life - 984 Words

What is the meaning of life? Almost every human at some point in their life would question themselves about their purpose in the world and why they were placed in the setting they are in and what they feel the need to accomplish in their lifetime. Some create their own personal meaning, others are given their meaning with no insight and lastly, others choose to avoid the real world and create a fantasy life. Although the definition is different from person to person, what is significant in the meaning of life is not only to exist in the world but to achieve our desired goals, have faith on our decisions, and learn about something new. Imagine rocking yourself back and forth at the age of ninety and reflecting back on your life. Karl Pillemer, a professor of human development at Cornell University, asked hundreds of elderly for the university legacy project, â€Å"What do you regret when you look back on your life?† Surprisingly, the biggest regret was they spent their lifespan worrying and not fulfill their goals. It is unfortunate to come to a conclusion at an old age there was unnecessary stress that involved family, retirement, health, and fears the consequences of others; someone has not truly lived the way they desired. Unless we come to a realization that the life we were given is our personal existence and ignore society or other influences expectation. Sister Clare, a ninety-nine old nun from the university legacy project, stated â€Å"So many things come to your mind†¦forShow MoreRelatedWhat Does It Mean You Live A Life Of Meaning And Purpose? Essay1366 Words   |  6 PagesWhat does it mea n to live a life of meaning and purpose? We have examined this question through at least five different authors, in different time periods, and through different ideas. However, the common idea has remained the same, have faith in God. For a human to live a life of meaning and purpose he must understand the truths of the natural world and the differences between what is good and evil. Jesus set an example for humans in his stories written by Matthew by displaying the ultimate faithRead MoreMeaning Of Life : Susan Wolf s Article, Happiness And Meaning : Two Aspects Of The Good Life Essay987 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is the meaning of life? What gives life meaning? Philosophers have asked these questions for decades, and there still is not a solid answer to the question. This paper will analyze one modern philosopher’s take on the question: What gives life meaning? Susan Wolf is a modern moral philosopher and philosopher of action and mind. She attended two Ivy League institut ions for her undergraduate and graduate careers. Wolf received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Philosophy and Math from Yale University, andRead MoreWhat Is The Meaning of Life? Essay688 Words   |  3 Pageslives. How does God, as an important human construct make a difference when determining the meaning of life? The western religions believe their scriptures are the direct word of God. Hence they use them as the authoritative source for many facets of life. Eastern religions tend to treat their scriptures as interpretations by humans, yet still many of life’s mysteries are accepted at truth in their scriptures. So should these scriptures be a foundation for the meaning of life? Also, what if we assumeRead MoreExistentialism : Wild ( 2014 ) And Into The Wild1739 Words   |  7 Pagestherefore leading to meaning, purpose and identity. When Chris and Cheryl leave their family, friends and everything else they know from the society, they are attempting to find a meaning and purpose to their lives. Watching these two movies, I discovered that, both main characters need the Nature as a catalyst to regain their freedom, to find their true identity and to understand the meaning of their lives. To figure out the reason behind their existences, both decide to go a on a life changing adventureRead MoreBeloved, Civilization And Its Discontents, And Man s Search For Meaning1613 Words   |  7 Pages What does one live for? Why does one believe they exist? Many do not know the answer to these question. Meaning of life is what one lives for, what one lives by, why they exist.The meaning of life may be obvious to some, but a great number of people do not know why they live. Some believe they are here for a reason and some believe it is a mistake. Throughout life, some many suffer with life, which allows them to open their mind up to the meaning of life. Suffering is when one goes through painRead MoreEssay on Existential Philosphy1710 Words   |  7 PagesNihilism originated somewhere around the mid-1800s, it was a shift from the social philosophy around that time which viewed life with purpose and meaning which was found usually though God, or some religious doctrine, however Nihilism is the philosophy that dictates the meaninglessness in life; it leaves an empty and void existence. Nihilism is usually associated with German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is often although not a Nihilist himself Nietzsche wrote a considerable amount concerning NihilismRead MoreBusi 5601416 Words   |  6 PagesBusiness 560 Worldview Questions . To what extent should personal religious beliefs impact our decisions about business ethics? My personal view on how much impact should my believes influence my business, or whatever decision I make is that it should be fully Involved. My decisions that I make should constantly reflect in what I claim to believe in.   To what extent do your personal religious (or non-religious) beliefs about life impact your sense of business ethics and personalRead MoreIn The Book What’S It All About? Julian Baggini Discusses1678 Words   |  7 Pages In the book What’s It All About? Julian Baggini discusses philosophy and the meaning of life. This reading was able to bring different perspectives on ideas of the meaning of life that I thought about before. I was also able to learn about these concerns about life s meaning or meaninglessness in a philosophical standpoint. Some of the chapters that I found interesting included the chapters titled looking for the blueprint, here to help, and becoming a contender. In the chapter looking forRead MoreMeaning of Life1425 Words   |  6 PagesThe Meaning of Life The meaning of life, defined by Victor E. Frankl, is the will to find your meaning in life. It is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific meaning of a persons life at a given moment. He believes that if you are approached with the question of what is the meaning of my life or in this case, life is meaningless, then you should reverse the question to that person asking the question. For example: What are you bringing to me? What are you as an individualRead MoreMeaning of Life1589 Words   |  7 PagesThe Meaning of Life Christopher Nieves Touro College Life is a gift. It is an honor, a spark, an excitement. We all have a world of our own.    Albert Camus, once said, â€Å"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life† (Camus, 1946).    Life is about living to your fullest abilities. Why waste our time looking for the meaning of each breath we take? Each

A New Miss America Nina Davuluri Free Essays

Born in Syracuse, New York, and raised in Oklahoma and Michigan, it is hard to pick a more American story than that of Davuluri. The daughter of Indian doctors who immigrated to the United States in the early 1980s, Miss America embodies all ideas of the great American Dream. But an uneducated public is trying to crush that dream with their negativity. We will write a custom essay sample on A New Miss America: Nina Davuluri or any similar topic only for you Order Now Misidentifying Davuluri as Muslim, Arab, Egyptian, and Indonesian, among other ethnicities, Twitter users did not Just stop at proclaiming hat, essentially, non-white participants of the pageant should be disqualified. They also linked her to terrorist organizations, such as A1 Qaeda. Some took it even further, outraged that she should be crowned in the same week as September 1 1 . Those who correctly acknowledged her Indian heritage made racist Jokes, playing on the stereotype that Indian-Americans often work in the grocery and food industries. It is ironic that the 24-year-old New Yorker is bullied about her race after her answer in the question round of this weekend’s pageant. Asked by Miss America udge Carla Hall about TV host Julie Chen’s plastic surgery to appear â€Å"less Asian,† Davuluri responded, â€Å"I’ve always viewed Miss America as the girl next door. And the girl next door is evolving as the diversity in America evolves†¦ Definitely be confident in who you are. † One has to question if Davuluri is staying confident after her crowning considering the negative feedback from the public, although she is putting on a brave face. â€Å"I’m so happy this organization has embraced diversity,† she told The Associated Press. â€Å"There are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America. Addressing her â€Å"non-American† haters, she said, â€Å"l always viewed myself as first and foremost American. † Davuluri was not the only contestant rebuffed for her race. Fellow Top 5 runners- up Miss California Crystal Lee and Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh got backlash for their Asian roots. Exactly thirty years after Vanessa Williams was crowned as the first black Miss America, it was refreshing to see the racial diversity at this year’s pageant, with 13 non-white contestants. It showed a forward-thinking Miss America, focused more on intelligence, drive, talent, and poise and an attempt to move the pageant into the 1st century. Yet the American people were not yet ready for the group of diverse, educated young women who are the face of the future America. According to Census Bureau reports, America will be much less white than it is today, with the percentage of blacks, Asians, and Hispanics increasing in our population. ) These women are independent and strong, they represent many ditterent backgrounds, they are accessible, they are role models, they are real. They do not fit the stereotypical 1950s pageant queen archetype. They are more than that. The Judges could see that, choosing to focus on inner beauty and accomplishments. Some of those who verbally fought Miss America’s title were firmly set on who they believed should be queen bee: Miss Kansas Theresa Vail. The 22-year-old blonde beauty is only the second military woman to participate in the pageant. As a sergeant in the U. S. Army and the first Miss America contestant to bear tattoos, Vail was a fan favorite long before the cameras starting rolling at the Atlantic City show. A humorous and highly talented young woman, Vail made it to the Top 10 but was cut from the competition after the talent round. Online, she was well-like because she mbodied the â€Å"real† American woman: she can sing, she has tattoos, she likes to hunt, she is poised but goofy and self-deprecating. She represents middle America. But on closer inspection, she does not embody America as it is today. She embodies what an ideal America used to be: middle class, white, Christian, rural, the picture- perfect WASP woman. So for all the progress the pageant made to depict a well- rounded, diverse America, the public still gravitated, predictably, to the â€Å"All American Beauty. † â€Å"l swear I’m not racist but this is America. † How has this come to define America, a ountry renown for its opportunities, for its freedoms, and for being the greatest melting pot in the world? How dare you deny Miss America, a talented and intelligent woman, her shot at the American dream? Why are we stuck in archaic mindsets of who deserves to be praised for their accomplishments and then rewarded with scholarship funds to pursue their passions? Who are we to Judge? To Twitter user @JAyres15 and to all of those ganging up on Nina Davuluri: you may swear you are not a racist, but I swear that you are. You hide behind prejudice and bigotry, you are close-minded, and you are the non-American. How to cite A New Miss America: Nina Davuluri, Papers

The importance of fungi free essay sample

Fungi are tremendously important to human society and the planet we live on. They provide fundamental products including foods, medicines, and enzymes important to industry. They are also the unsung heroes of nearly all terrestrial ecosystems, hidden from view but inseparable from the processes that sustain life on the planet. THE MEDICAL IMPORTANCE OF FUNGI Most Fungal genera have tremendous applications in modern medicine some of which include; Drugs from Fungi At the beginning of the 21st century, Fungi were involved in the industrial processing of more than 10 of the 20 most profitable products used in medicine. Three anti-cholesterol statins, the antibiotic penicillin and the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A are among the top 10. Fungi are extremely useful organisms in biotechnology. Fungi construct unique complex molecules using established metabolic pathways. Different taxa produce sets of related molecules, each with slightly different final products. Metabolites formed along the metabolic pathway may also be biologically active. We will write a custom essay sample on The importance of fungi or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In addition, the final compounds are often released into the environment. Manipulation of the genome, and environmental conditions during formation of compounds, enable the optimisation of product formation. On the negative side, single isolates of fungi in manufacture may lose their capacity to form or release the target molecules. Indeed, the target compound may only be expressed under specific conditions, or at a specific point in the life cycle of the fungus. It is amazing that so many biologically active compounds have been discovered and taken to point where they are medically important. The role of fungi was established early in history. Yeasts have been used in the making of bread and alcohol since the beginning of civilisation. LINK In modern times, the discovery of penicillin marked the beginning of a new approach to human health and established the importance of fungi. Antibiotics From Fungi In 1941, penicillin from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum was first used successfully to treat an infection caused by a bacterium. In doing so, it revolutionised treatment of disease. Many formally fatal diseases caused by bacteria became treatable, and new forms of medical intervention were possible. When penicillin was first produced, the concentration of active ingredient was approximately 1 microgram per ml of broth solution. Today, improved strains and highly developed fermentation technologies produce more than 700 micrograms per ml of active ingredient. In the early broths, several closely related molecules were present. These molecules are beta lactam rings fused to five-membered thiazolidine rings, with a side chain. The side chain can be chemically modified to provide slightly different properties to the compound. The natural penicillins have a number of disadvantages. They are destroyed in the acid stomach, and so cannot be used orally. They are sensitive to beta lactamases, which are produced by resistant bacteria, thus reducing their effectiveness. They also only act on gram positive bacteria. Modifications to manufacturing conditions have resulted in the development of oral forms. However, antibiotic resistance among bacteria is becoming an extremely important aspect determining the long-term use of antibiotics. Cephalosporins also contain the beta lactam ring. The original fungus found to produce the compounds was a Cephalosporium, hence the name. As with penicillin, the cephalosporin antibiotics have a number of disadvantages. Industrial modification of the active ingredients has reduced these problems. The only useful antifungal agent from fungi is griseofulvin. The original source was Penicillium griseofulvin. Griseofulvin is fungistatic, rather than fungicidal. It is used for the treatment of dermatophytes, as it accumulates in the hair and skin following topical application. The antifungal agents are readily and cheaply produced industrially. Immune Suppressants Cyclosporin A is a primary metabolite of several fungi, including Trichoderma polysporum and Cylindrocarpon lucidum. Cyclosporin A has proven to be a powerful immunosuppressant in mammals, being widely used during and after bone marrow and organ transplants in humans. Cyclosporin A is a cyclic peptide consisting of 11 mainly hydrophobic amino acids. Its inhibition of lymphocytes was first discovered during the 1970s. Subsequently, the mode of action was elucidated. Cyclosporin A binds to a cytosolic protein called cyclophilin. Cyclophilin is found amongst many different organisms and its form appears highly conserved. Cyclophilin is involved with folding the protein ribonuclease. However, the Cyclosporin A/cyclophilin complex also binds to calcineurin. Calcineurin dephosphorylates a transcription factor, thereby triggering transcription of numerous genes associated with T cell proliferation. When the complex binds to calcineurin, T cell proliferation is suppressed. The inhibition of T cells proliferation results in the suppression of the activation process associated with invasion by foreign bodies. As a consequence, transplant tissues, which are foreign bodies, are not rejected. Calcineurin is also highly conserved amongst phylogenetically diverse organisms. In fungi such as the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, calcineurin is necessary for recovery from cell cycle arrest, growth in hypertonic solutions and regulation of the calcium pump. Thus the interaction of the Cyclosporin A/cyclophilin complex with calcineurin in Cryptococcus will result in death of the pathogen. However, in humans, cyclosporin also suppresses the immune system. The side effect is an unacceptable risk, and Cyclosporin A is not used as a fungicide in humans at present. Gliotoxins also have immunological and antibiotic activity. Produced by many fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus, gliotoxins belong to a class of compounds called epipolythiodioxopiperazines. The antibiotic activity is widely recognised and considered uninteresting. However, its effect on the immune system, especially macrophages, is being re-examined. A wide range of other compounds with antibiotic activity are also known. They have been rejected for use in medicine because of unwanted side effects, or instability of the active compound. Ergot Alkaloids Claviceps purpurea is the causal agent of St Anthonies fire, a scourge of the middle ages when ergots contaminated flour. LINK The ergots contain many alkaloids. Their effects are quite variable. They act on the sympathetic nervous system resulting in the inhibition of noradrenaline and sclerotin, causing dilation of blood vessels. They also act directly on the smooth muscles of the uterus causing contractions, thus their early use to induce abortion. Their strongest effect is intoxication, caused by lysergic acid amides, one of which is the recreational (and illegal) drug, LSD. Seeds of Paspalumreplaced by C. paspalli. Ergot alkaloids have a number of medicinal uses. Perhaps the most widespread use is in the treatment of migraines. The vasodilator activity reduces tension during an attack. The drugs also reduce blood pressure, though with untoward side effects. Alkaloids are now produced in culture by strains of C. fusiformis and C. paspalii. Statins Aspergillus griseus, a soil-borne fungus, produces secondary metabolites that have a different range of effects. The molecules called statins have been used to reduce or remove low density lipoproteins from blood vessels in humans. In fact, the compounds all act via an enzyme in the liver that makes cholesterol. By blocking the enzyme, the body removes cholesterol complexes from the inside of blood vessels. This has the effect of reducing or removing blockages in arteries, and thereby reducing the chance of a heart attack, strokes and diabetes. In addition, statins have been implicated in attracting stem cells to damaged tissues. The stem cells then appear to regenerate the tissue. Some statins induce problems. One form of the drug has been associated with muscle wastage. Others appear to lack side effects and have been recommended for wide spread use to control heart disease. Some examples of medicinal mushrooms: Cordyceps sinensis, a powerful antioxidant, has been used for centuries as a general tonic for promoting longevity, vitality, and endurance. Additionally, Cordyceps sinensis has been clinically shown to support cardiovascular health, enhance respiration and balance cholesterol levels. Agaricus blazei are medicinal mushrooms comprised of powerful nutrients called beta-glucans and other polysaccharides that have been clinically shown to enhance the immune system. Additionallly, Agaricus blazei helps to maintain healthy glucose levels, and balance healthy cholesterol levels. A delicious culinary mushroom, the maitake (Grifola frondosus) is also traditionally used in Asia as an energy tonic to increase vitality. Comprised of powerful beta-glucans, maitake is used primarily to promote a healthy immune system. Clinical research has shown that maitake protects healthy cells, enhances the immune system, and normalizes cell division. Additionally, maitake provides nutritional support for balanced cholesterol levels, blood sugar and blood pressure. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been used for centuries as a vital part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A versatile medicinal mushroom, Reishi has been clinically shown to balance energy and glucose levels, support cardiovascular health, enhance the immune system and assist with liver detoxification. As a natural immuno-modulator, Reishi is also known to promote a healthy inflammatory response Traditional Chinese Medicine, hot water extracts of the inedible fruit-bodies have been used for a wide range of conditions, refreshing the human body and prolonging longevity. Phellinus linteus is a relative newcomer to the medicinal mushroom category, and has been shown to support the immune system. Traditionally, this mushroom is boiled in water and ingested as tea. Also used in skin creams, Phellinus linteus is believed to rejuvenate the skin Turkey tail (Coriolus versicolor)is perhaps the most investigated medicinal mushroom in the world with over 400 scientific studies, including several clinical studies conducted to validate its immune-enhancing properties. Turkey tail is the core ingredient in PSK, also known as Krestin, as well as PSP, and is widely used in Japan and China for individuals with compromised and depleted immune systems Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is typically used in Traditional Chinese medicine for restoring balance to the digestive system. Native Americans commonly used this mushroom in a powder form as a band aid for minor cuts and scrapes. Known primarily as a culinary delight, the shiitake mushroom is also believed to help boost the immune system and restore balanced cholesterol levels. The shiitake is high in vitamins, namely iron, niacin and B 1 and b2 – and its sun-dried form contains vitamin D. Fungi are extremely useful organisms in biotechnology. Fungi construct unique complex molecules using established metabolic pathways. Different taxa produce sets of related molecules, each with slightly different final products. Metabolites formed along the metabolic pathway may also be biologically active. In addition, the final compounds are often released into the environment. Manipulation of the genome, and environmental conditions during formation of compounds, enable the optimisation of product formation. On the negative side, single isolates of fungi in manufacture may lose their capacity to form or release the target molecules. Indeed, the target compound may only be expressed under specific conditions, or at a specific point in the life cycle of the fungus. It is amazing that so many biologically active compounds have been discovered and taken to point where they are medically important. The role of fungi was established early in history. Yeasts have been used in the making of bread and alcohol since the beginning of civilisation. LINK In modern times, the discovery of penicillin marked the beginning of a new approach to human health and established the importance of fungi. The first antibiotics were extracted from fungi. Penicillin, tetracyclene and aureomycin, Cyclosporin, a drug derived from a fungus that uses insects as its host. Cylcosporin suppresses the immune system of transplant patients hence lowering tissue rejection rates. The lower organisms are used to commercially produce bread, beer, wine, cheese, organic acids, and vitamins including Vitamin C. The Vitamin C tablet we take may be a by product of fungal growth. Mushrooms are probiotic they help our body strengthen itself and fight off illness by maintaining physiological homeostasis restoring our bodies balance and natural resistance to disease anti tumor agents have been developed from the fruiting body, mycelia, and culture medium of various medicinal mushrooms (Lentinus edodes, Ganoderma lucidum etc. Tremella fuciformis demonstrates anti-tumor activity, lowers LDL cholesterol, protects the liver and is anti-inflammatory and may slow the aging process. Grifola frondosa (Maitake) has also been shown to stimulate the immune system and to be effective against some tumors. Shiitake (for centuries called Elixir of Life ) has been licensed as a anti-cancer drug Reishi can have a number of effects: Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral through inducing interferon production, Lowers blood pressure, Cardiotonic action through lowering serum cholesterol, Expectorant Antitussive, Liver (Hepatitis)-protecting and detoxifying, Protection against ionizing radiation, Antibacterial, and Anti-HIV activity. Cordyceps can be effective for treatment of high cholesterol, poor libido/impotence, arrhythmia, lung cancer, and chronic kidney failure. THE INDUSTRIAL IMPORTANCE OF FUNGI Fungi, especially the brewer’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, provide us with numerous foods and beverages, including staples like bread and beer. The brewer’s yeast is not only important for the production of delicious consumables, but it is nutritious, being especially rich in vitamin B12. Some molds are important in the maturation of cheeses like blue cheeses (the color comes from the mold’s spores) and for providing a meatlike flavor in the production of many rice, wheat, and soybean products (for example tempeh, miso, soy sauce) used extensively in Asian cuisine. Similarly, fungi are even being used as a meat substitute in products mimicking meat, like Quorn ®. Edible mushrooms are also common vegetables that provide an important source of dietary fibre and complete protein: fungal proteins provide all of the essential amino acids, a consequence of their close relation to animals. Studies have shown that the protein content of the edible penny bun mushroom (also known as porcino, cep, king bolete; Boletus edulis) even rivals and exceeds some meat. This fact is especially important for people that subsist on wild-collected foods and have limited access to other sources of protein. Moreover, some mushrooms used as food may have medicinal properties, providing a smattering of health benefits. They have industrial applications as well and several model organisms are fungi, which enable our understanding of fundamental biology like genetics and development. Entrepreneurs are applying fungi to provide sustainable and biodegradable structural products such as building materials, packing materials, and even vehicle bumpers. Many enzymes produced by fungi are valuable in the paper pulp industry, for bioremediation, and even for fashion: fungal enzymes are used to soften and fade denim jeans. Scientifically, the mould Neurospora crassa and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae(brewer’s yeast) are model organisms used all over the world in basic and applied science laboratories. And, in 1996,Saccharomyces cerevisiae became the first eukaryote to have its genome sequenced! Many fungi are useful to humans and have been exploited both industrially and commercially. Societies have utilized fungi for centuries in a wide variety of ways by capitalizing on the metabolism and metabolites (chemicals made from metabolism) produced. The oldest and best known example is the use of yeasts performing fermentation in brewing, wine making and bread making. Yeasts and other fungi play a critical role in drug production, food processing, bio-control agents, enzyme biotechnology, as well as research and development. The use of yeast (e. g. Saccharomyces cerevisae) to make alcohol and carbon dioxide uses the fermentation process to break down sugars. Up to 50% of the sugar can be converted to alcohol, but rarely surpasses 15% because the fungi are sensitive to high concentrations of alcohol. In the beer making industry, cereal grains are fermented to make the final product. Wine is composed of fermented grapes while hard cider is essentially fermented apples. Sake is produced by rice fermentation, using Aspergillus oryzae and then an additional fermentation step utilizing bacteria and yeasts. With bread making, fermentation utilizes sugar to produce carbon dioxide and alcohol. The carbon dioxide produces the bubbles and causes bread to rise, while the alcohol produced evaporates off while baking. A variety of foods and drinks are fermented before consumption. Some of the largest industries in the west are based around production of alcohol and bread. In the east, the production of soy sauce and other fermented soybean products are likely among the largest industries. The peoples of Asia have developed a wide variety of interesting fermented foods, sauces and drinks, using fungi. Other examples and the applicable fungi include koji (Aspergillus); miso, soy bean paste (Aspergillus); sufu, Chinese cheese (Rhizopus), nyufu or fuyu, bean cake or bean cheese (Rhizopus); shoyu or soy sauce (Aspergillus, Saccharomyces) and tempeh (Rhizopus). Another way in which fungi are used industrially in the food industry is in cheese production. Various cheeses are inoculated with Penicillium roquefortii to impart a strong and pungent flavor in the resultant cheeses. Examples are Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton Blue and Danish Blue. The white crust on the outside of the cheeses known as Brie and Camembert is the mycelium of Penicillium camembertii. These strong flavors are a result of the fungus producing methyl ketones. Aspergillus is utilized industrially in a number of ways. Most sodas and soft drinks contain citric acid as a main ingredient. Citric acid is also used in other drinks, many candies, canned goods, baked goods, etc. It is too expensive to isolate the citric acid from citrus fruits so it is produced in large-scale fermentation vats utilizing Aspergillus niger. Authentic soy sauce is fermented in a three-step process with the fungi Aspergillus oryzae and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, as well as the bacterium Pediococcus halophilus . ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF FUNGI Fungi are one of the most important groups of organisms on the planet. This is easy to overlook, given their largely hidden, unseen actions and growth. They are important in an enormous variety of ways. Recycling Fungi, together with bacteria, are responsible for most of the recycling which returns dead material to the soil in a form in which it can be reused. Without fungi, these recycling activities would be seriously reduced. We would effectively be lost under piles many metres thick, of dead plant and animal remains. Mycorrhizae and plant growth Fungi are vitally important for the good growth of most plants, including crops, through the development of mycorrhizal associations. As plants are at the base of most food chains, if their growth was limited, all animal life, including human, would be seriously reduced through starvation. fungi are mycorrhizal partners in trees and plants. Root hairs in trees and plants are often not fine enough to absorb nutrients from the soil by themselves. Mycorrhizal fungi often form a symbiotic partnership with plants and trees fungi provide thin hyphae (unicellular root like structures) that can absorb water and nutrients from the soil more efficiently than root hairs. The trees and plants in turn provide food (complex amino acids etc) for the fungi things that they would normally not be able to obtain. It is proposed that 90% of all the species of trees and plants are dependent on mycorrhizae. There are 2 types of mycorrhizae endotrophic and ectotrophic but thats for another topic of discussion. Biocontrol Fungi such as the Chinese caterpillar fungus, which parasitise insects, can be extremely useful for controlling insect pests of crops. The spores of the fungi are sprayed on the crop pests. Fungi have been used to control Colorado potato beetles, which can devastate potato crops. Spittlebugs, leaf hoppers and citrus rust mites are some of the other insect pests which have been controlled using fungi. This method is generally cheaper and less damaging to the environment than using chemical pesticides Decomposition fungi are able to break down almost anything furthermore they can pair with algae to make lichens which grow almost anywhere lichens are also an important indicator of environmental pollution