General Characteristics of Fungi

Fungi are eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that belong to the kingdom Fungi. They exhibit the following key characteristics:

• • Eukaryotic Organization: Possess membrane-bound nuclei, mitochondria, and other organelles.

• • Heterotrophic Nutrition: Obtain nutrients through absorption (osmotrophy).

• • Cell Wall Composition: Primarily made of chitin (unlike plants, which have cellulose).

• • Body Structure: The vegetative body is called mycelium, composed of thread-like hyphae.

• • Reproduction: Both asexual (via spores like conidia, sporangiospores) and sexual reproduction (via zygospores, ascospores, basidiospores).

• • Habitat: Found in diverse environments—soil, water, air, decaying matter, and as symbionts or parasites.

• Ecological Roles: Decomposers (saprophytes), pathogens, and mutualistic partners (e.g., mycorrhizae, lichens).