Question

Identify the characteristic that differentiates fungi from algae.

• A. Being heterotrophic
• B. Absence of chlorophyll
• C. Presence of chitinous cell wall
• D. All the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All the above

The algal cell wall is mainly made up of cellulose and some other polysaccharides. Algal cells contain pigments such as chlorophyll, fucoxanthin, phycocyanin, etc. Those algae that have chlorophyll, are green in colour. Algae are autotrophic.

The fungal cell wall is made up of chitin, glucans, and glycoproteins. The fungal cells do not contain chlorophyll. or any other photosynthetic pigment. So, fungi are heterotrophic. Moreover, fungi obtain nutrients from dead, organic matter, hence they are called saprotrophs.

Hence, the correct answer is option D.