Chapter 21, Problem 12STP

Summary Introduction

To explain:

How a multicellular fungus obtains nutrients from its environment and its role in the environment.

Introduction:

Some of the oldest organisms on Earth belong to the Fungi Kingdom. Most fungi members are multicellular. They do not contain chloroplasts but they appeared to have some characteristics similar to plants.

Explanation of Solution

Fungi digest their food before they ingested it. Many fungi produce enzymes that break down organic material, allowing the nutrients to be absorbed through their thin cell walls. Many fungi feed on dead animals or toxic waste. Some fungi are consuming nutrients from the living cells of another organism. Many parasitic fungi produce specialized hyphae that grow into the tissues of the host and absorb their nutrients.

Fungi play an important role to clean the environment. They help the dead organism to decompose in the soil. They are decomposers that recycle nutrients from dead organisms back into food webs. Thus, they supply nutrients to the soil.

Conclusion

Thus, fungi digest their food before ingesting and clean the environment by decomposing dead organisms.