ABSTRACT
All organisms are composed of a variety of elements, such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, known as macroelements. These elements are essential components of organic molecules, for example, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. The biosynthesis of cellular structures necessary for growth, reproduction, and maintenance requires a continuous supply of these basic nutrients and an energy source. Physiological studies play an important role in understanding the relationship of organisms with their environment. The more we understand their life and physiology, the better we can utilize them in industries and medicine. This chapter focuses on nutritional requirements and the growth and metabolism of thermophilic fungi. In addition to this, the effects of various environmental factors, that is, temperature, pH, oxygen, solutes and water activity, hydrostatic pressure, light, and relative humidity, on the growth and development of thermophilic fungi are discussed. Finally, adaptations for mixed substrate utilization, nutrient transport, protein breakdown, and the turnover and virulence factors of these fungi are presented in an elaborate manner.
