A mass of branching hyphae is termed a mycelium which forms the body of the fungus. Growth of hyphae and hyphal branches takes place only at their tips. Growth is indeterminate. Being heterotrophic the organism cannot manufacture its own organic compounds. Soluble nutrients are absorbed into the mycelia through the hyphal surfaces.
Fungi obtain their food either as parasites or as saprophytes .
Fungi are capable of storing food reserves with the most common reserves being glycogen and fats . Fungi occupy a wide variety of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Rhizopus Rhizopus, the common black bread mold, is a terrestrial saprophyte belonging to the division Zygomycota . Click to view the the young cultures of Rhizopus . At various points along a stolon, branched hyphae termed rhizoids are initiated.