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'''Mold''' or '''mould''' are multicellular fungi that grow in the form of filaments called ''hyphae'' that appear like long branch-like structures under a [[microscope]]. Although not a taxonomic designation, there are an estimated 10,000 - 300,000 of species of molds that live in a wide variety of environments <ref name="usda">[http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/molds-on-food-are-they-dangerous_/ct_index "Molds On Food: Are They Dangerous?" United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 07/15/2016.]</ref>. In general they cause biodegredation of foods and other natural materials (such as wood in buildings), which has a wide role of effects depending on the species of mold. For example, some species of mold can be the cause of food spoilage, and other species play an important role in food production such as in cheese and soy sauce production <ref name="wikipedia_mold"></ref>. Certain species of mold are thought to contribute precursors that effect flavor production in the toasting of oak barrels <ref>[http://www.demptos.fr/en_v2/images/J_SCI_TECH_TONNELLERIE_064_A.PDF The duration effect of natural seasoning of Quercus petraea Liebl. and Quercus robur L. on the diversity of existing fungi flora and some aspects of its ecology. N. Vivas. 1996.]</ref> Molds have also been used in the pharmaceutical industry to produce antibiotics and other medicines. Certain molds can cause allergic reactions as well as diseases from mold growth within the body or from mycotoxin production in exposed foods or from breathing spores from mold growth in buildings <ref name="wikipedia_mold">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mold Mold. Wikipedia. Retrieved 07/12/2016.]</ref>.