Chapter 20.1, Problem 8MI

Summary Introduction

To classify:  

The types of fungi based on the method of obtaining food.

Introduction:

Nutritionally fungi may be saprophytes or parasites. Some fungi are in mutual relationships with other organism. The saprophytic fungi obtain nutrients from non-living organic matter, parasitic fungi draw food from living organisms and in mutualists, the symbiotic partners make food for them.

Explanation of Solution

On the basis of the intake of nutrients, fungi are divided into saprophytic fungi, parasitic fungi and mutualistic fungi.

Saprophytic fungi: They are decomposers, obtain nutrients from dead and decaying matter by breaking them into simple molecules. They recycle nutrients into the environments. Examples bracket fungus.

Parasitic fungi: They obtain nutrients from their hosts through a specialized structure called haustoria. Example Arthrobotrys .

Mutualistic fungi: Some fungi live in a mutualistic relationship with other organisms such plants or algae. The fungi obtain food from symbiotic partner without harming them.

Conclusion

Fungi are divided into saprophytic fungi, parasitic fungi and mutualistic fungi. The saprophytic fungi obtain nutrients from non-living organic matter, parasitic fungi draw food from the host and mutualistic fungi obtain food from the symbiotic partner.