Mold vs. Shape

Published: 17 Jan, 2021

Main Difference

The main difference between Mold and Shape is that the Mold is a diverse group of fungi and Shape is a form of an object or its external boundary

Mold

A mold (US) or mould (UK / NZ / AU / ZA / IN / CA / IE) is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts.
Molds are a large and taxonomically diverse number of fungal species in which the growth of hyphae results in discoloration and a fuzzy appearance, especially on food. The network of these tubular branching hyphae, called a mycelium, is considered a single organism. The hyphae are generally transparent, so the mycelium appears like very fine, fluffy white threads over the surface. Cross-walls (septa) may delimit connected compartments along the hyphae, each containing one or multiple, genetically identical nuclei. The dusty texture of many molds is caused by profuse production of asexual spores (conidia) formed by differentiation at the ends of hyphae. The mode of formation and shape of these spores is traditionally used to classify molds. Many of these spores are colored, making the fungus much more obvious to the human eye at this stage in its life-cycle.
Molds are considered to be microbes and do not form a specific taxonomic or phylogenetic grouping, but can be found in the divisions Zygomycota and Ascomycota. In the past, most molds were classified within the Deuteromycota.Molds cause biodegradation of natural materials, which can be unwanted when it becomes food spoilage or damage to property. They also play important roles in biotechnology and food science in the production of various foods, beverages, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals and enzymes. Some diseases of animals and humans can be caused by certain molds: disease may result from allergic sensitivity to mold spores, from growth of pathogenic molds within the body, or from the effects of ingested or inhaled toxic compounds (mycotoxins) produced by molds.
Shape

A shape is the form of an object or its external boundary, outline, or external surface, as opposed to other properties such as color, texture or material composition.
Psychologists have theorized that humans mentally break down images into simple geometric shapes called geons. Examples of geons include cones and spheres.

Wikipedia

Mold (noun)
A hollow form or matrix for shaping a fluid or plastic substance.
Mold (noun)
A frame or model around or on which something is formed or shaped.
Mold (noun)
Something that is made in or shaped on a mold.
Mold (noun)
The shape or pattern of a mold.
Mold (noun)
General shape or form.
"the oval mold of her face"
Mold (noun)
Distinctive character or type.
"a leader in the mold of her predecessors"
Mold (noun)
A fixed or restrictive pattern or form.
"His method of scientific investigation broke the mold and led to a new discovery."
Mold (noun)
A group of moldings.
"the arch mold of a porch or doorway;"
"the pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of parts"
Mold (noun)
A fontanelle.
Mold (noun)
A natural substance in the form of a woolly or furry growth of tiny fungi that appears when organic material lies for a long time exposed to (usually warm and moist) air.
Mold (noun)
Loose friable soil, rich in humus and fit for planting.
Mold (noun)
Earth, ground.
Mold (verb)
To shape in or on a mold.
Mold (verb)
To form into a particular shape; to give shape to.
Mold (verb)
To guide or determine the growth or development of; influence
Mold (verb)
To fit closely by following the contours of.
Mold (verb)
To make a mold of or from (molten metal, for example) before casting.
Mold (verb)
To ornament with moldings.
Mold (verb)
To be shaped in or as if in a mold.
"These shoes gradually molded to my feet."
Mold (verb)
To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
Mold (verb)
To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.
Mold (verb)
To cover with mold or soil.

Shape (noun)
The status or condition of something
"The used bookshop wouldn't offer much due to the poor shape of the book."
Shape (noun)
Condition of personal health, especially muscular health.
"The vet checked to see what kind of shape the animal was in."
"We exercise to keep in good physical shape."
Shape (noun)
The appearance of something, especially its outline.
"He cut a square shape out of the cake."
"What shape shall we use for the cookies? Stars, circles, or diamonds?"
Shape (noun)
Form; formation.
Shape (noun)
A rolled or hammered piece, such as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc., having a cross section different from merchant bar.
Shape (noun)
A piece which has been roughly forged nearly to the form it will receive when completely forged or fitted.
Shape (noun)
A mould for making jelly, blancmange etc., or a piece of such food formed moulded into a particular shape.
Shape (noun)
In the Hack programming language, a group of data fields each of which has a name and a data type.
Shape (verb)
To create or make.
"Earth was shapen by God for God's folk."
Shape (verb)
To give something a shape and definition.
"Shape the dough into a pretzel."
"For my art project, I plan to shape my clay lump into a bowl."
Shape (verb)
To form or manipulate something into a certain shape.
Shape (verb)
(of a country, person, etc) To give influence to.
Shape (verb)
To suit; to be adjusted or conformable.
Shape (verb)
To imagine; to conceive.

Wiktionary

Mold (noun)
a town in north-eastern Wales, administrative centre of Flintshire; population 10,500 (est. 2009).

Oxford Dictionary

Mold (noun)
A spot; a blemish; a mole.
Mold (noun)
Crumbling, soft, friable earth; esp., earth containing the remains or constituents of organic matter, and suited to the growth of plants; soil.
Mold (noun)
Earthy material; the matter of which anything is formed; composing substance; material.
Mold (noun)
A growth of minute fungi of various kinds, esp. those of the great groups Hyphomycetes, and Physomycetes, forming on damp or decaying organic matter.
Mold (noun)
The matrix, or cavity, in which anything is shaped, and from which it takes its form; also, the body or mass containing the cavity; as, a sand mold; a jelly mold.
Mold (noun)
That on which, or in accordance with which, anything is modeled or formed; anything which serves to regulate the size, form, etc., as the pattern or templet used by a shipbuilder, carpenter, or mason.
Mold (noun)
Cast; form; shape; character.
Mold (noun)
A group of moldings; as, the arch mold of a porch or doorway; the pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of parts.
Mold (noun)
A fontanel.
Mold (noun)
A frame with a wire cloth bottom, on which the pump is drained to form a sheet, in making paper by hand.
Mold
To cover with mold or soil.
Mold
To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
Mold
To form into a particular shape; to shape; to model; to fashion.
Mold
To ornament by molding or carving the material of; as, a molded window jamb.
Mold
To knead; as, to mold dough or bread.
Mold
To form a mold of, as in sand, in which a casting may be made.
Mold (verb)
To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.

Shape
To form or create; especially, to mold or make into a particular form; to give proper form or figure to.
Shape
To adapt to a purpose; to regulate; to adjust; to direct; as, to shape the course of a vessel.
Shape
To imagine; to conceive; to call forth (ideas).
Shape
To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange.
Shape (verb)
To suit; to be adjusted or conformable.
Shape (noun)
Character or construction of a thing as determining its external appearance; outward aspect; make; figure; form; guise; as, the shape of a tree; the shape of the head; an elegant shape.
Shape (noun)
That which has form or figure; a figure; an appearance; a being.
Shape (noun)
A model; a pattern; a mold.
Shape (noun)
Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some quality.
Shape (noun)
Dress for disguise; guise.
Shape (noun)
A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc., having a cross section different from merchant bar.

Webster Dictionary

Mold (noun)
the distinctive form in which a thing is made;
"pottery of this cast was found throughout the region"
Mold (noun)
container into which liquid is poured to create a given shape when it hardens
Mold (noun)
loose soil rich in organic matter
Mold (noun)
the process of becoming mildewed
Mold (noun)
a fungus that produces a superficial growth on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter
Mold (noun)
sculpture produced by molding
Mold (verb)
form in clay, wax, etc;
"model a head with clay"
Mold (verb)
become moldy; spoil due to humidity;
"The furniture molded in the old house"
Mold (verb)
form by pouring (e.g., wax or hot metal) into a cast or mold;
"cast a bronze sculpture"
Mold (verb)
make something, usually for a specific function;
"She molded the riceballs carefully"
"Form cylinders from the dough"
"shape a figure"
"Work the metal into a sword"
Mold (verb)
fit tightly, follow the contours of;
"The dress molds her beautiful figure"
Mold (verb)
shape or influence; give direction to;
"experience often determines ability"
"mold public opinion"

Shape (noun)
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline);
"he could barely make out their shapes through the smoke"
Shape (noun)
the spatial arrangement of something as distinct from its substance;
"geometry is the mathematical science of shape"
Shape (noun)
alternative names for the body of a human being;
"Leonardo studied the human body"
"he has a strong physique"
"the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
Shape (noun)
a concrete representation of an otherwise nebulous concept;
"a circle was the embodiment of his concept of life"
Shape (noun)
the visual appearance of something or someone;
"the delicate cast of his features"
Shape (noun)
the state of (good) health (especially in the phrases `in condition' or `in shape' or `out of condition' or `out of shape')
Shape (noun)
the supremem headquarters that advises NATO on military matters and oversees all aspects of the Allied Command Europe
Shape (noun)
a perceptual structure;
"the composition presents problems for students of musical form"
"a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them"
Shape (verb)
shape or influence; give direction to;
"experience often determines ability"
"mold public opinion"
Shape (verb)
make something, usually for a specific function;
"She molded the riceballs carefully"
"Form cylinders from the dough"
"shape a figure"
"Work the metal into a sword"
Shape (verb)
give a shape or form to;
"shape the dough"