I. Characteristics of Fungi A. Mode of Nutrition 1. Fungi are heterotrophs that utilize organic matter. Saprobes get their nutrients from nonliving matter. Parasites thrive on tissues in living hosts. All fungi rely on extracellular enzymatic digestion and absorption.
Fungi are valuable decomposers in the environment.
B. Major Groups 1. Over 56,000 species of fungi have been identified and there are many more. About 430 million years ago fungi started invading the land. C. Key Features of Fungal Life Cycles 1. Fungi reproduce both asexually and sexually, producing large numbers of nonmotile spores.