Question

Write the distinct characters of fungi.

Answer 1

Kingdom fungi are one of the six kingdoms under which all the organisms are categorized. Fungi include a diverse group of organisms that are neither the part of plant kingdom nor the animal kingdom.

1. Members of the kingdom Fungi have complex cells with a nucleus and organelles (eukaryotes.)

2. Most fungi grow as tubular filaments called hyphae. An interwoven mass of hyphae is called a mycelium.

3. Fungi obtain nutrients by absorption (heterotrophs.)

4. Fungi can reproduce both sexually (i.e. using genetic material from separate male and female partners) and asexually (via formation and release of spores from one individual.)

5. Fungi cell walls are composed mainly of a carbohydrate called chitin.

6. They have various uses.

a. Fungi feed on the dead organic matter which includes leaf litter, soil, dung, wood and dead animals.

b. The well-known antibiotic drug Penicillin is derived from the fungus Penicillium.

c. Some species of fungi are edible in nature. These include straw mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, shiitakes, truffles, milk mushrooms and black trumpets.