What is the Mode of Nutrition in Fungi?


Fungi are microscopic or macroscopic, non-chlorophyllated, spore bearing, filamentous, heterotrophic thallophytes which reproduce asexually and sexually.
       Mode of Nutrition is Heterotrophic and absorptive
       Secrete digestive enzymes
       Fungus actually “lives on the food”
       Feed by absorption
Mode of Nutrition in Fungi


Modes of Nutrition:

A) saprotrophic: feeds on dead and decaying organic matter

B) parasitism: obtain nutrients from the host
       Ectoparasites : seen on the surface of the host eg: Erysiphae
       Endoparasites: Mycelium present inside host tissue eg: Puccinia
       Obligatory parasitism: Strict parasites eg: Puccinia
       Facultative parasites: can live as parasites or saprobes eg: Fusarium

C) Symbiosis: mutually beneficial association with other organisms
 Eg: Lichen: Algae fungal symbiosis, Mycorrhizae: Symbiosis of fungus with higher plants
Crustose Lichen
Mycorrhizae

D) Predatory fungus:
Carnivorous fungi or predaceous fungi are fungi that derive some or most of their nutrients from trapping and eating microscopic or other minute animals.
Eg: Arthrobotrys
Watch this video for better understanding
Previous Post Next Post