Most fungi reproduce by either asexual budding (mitospores - spores produced by mitosis - nucleus splits in two nuclei with equal genetic material), or sexually (meiospores - spores produced by meiosis - cell division of four daughter cells with half the chromosomes of the parent cell) in the form of fruiting bodies that produce spores (haploid phase). Spores germinate once optimum conditions suit just like the seed of a plant; preferably moist but warm environment - spores will continue to transport until they find suitable environments. The spore will produce single cell threads (hyphae). You have two separate spores which will represent say a positive & negative, each containing half of the genetic material; these threads will eventually link compatibly to create mycelium (diploid phase). In turn this basically creates a new strain of mushroom with different characteristics (for example, physical appearance, growth). The mycelium will now continue to grow at a much quicker rate much more sporadic in search of food creating a mycelial matt. This growth will depend on the excretion of compounds which utilised in use or consumption of the organic material surrounding it once resources are obsolete. At this point, the fungi will fruit - much dependent of external elements, such as temperature, weather. Primarily the mycelium will cluster to create tiny knots continuing to from until they create pins. Should the weather continue at optimum levels, mycelium will propel it's energy & nutrient resources from the mycelial mat into forming the eventual fruiting body, the mushroom.
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