This video lesson examines the many beneficial aspects of a very important group of organisms - fungi. Students will learn about fungi and their role in nature and will be introduced to the general structure of different fungi. This lesson focuses on the importance of fungi in every day life – in the bread we eat, the medicines we rely on and the mushrooms on our pizzas! There are no prerequisites for this lesson, and it can be completed easily within a 50-60-minute class period. Materials needed for the lesson include: yeast cells; brown sugar; a 150 ml beaker or bottle; a stirring rod; a 10 ml glass test tube; and a deflated balloon. In-class activities for between the video segments include simple experiments and discussions.