Multiple Choice
Which of the following organisms is primarily known as a decomposer in ecosystems?
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29. Fungi
Fungi
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Which characteristic do fungi share with animals?
A
They have cell walls made of cellulose.
B
They possess chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
C
They reproduce exclusively by binary fission.
D
They are heterotrophic and obtain nutrients by absorption.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the term 'heterotrophic': Heterotrophic organisms cannot produce their own food and must obtain nutrients by consuming other organic matter. Both fungi and animals share this characteristic.
Recognize how fungi obtain nutrients: Fungi absorb nutrients from their environment by secreting enzymes that break down organic material into simpler compounds, which they then absorb. This is similar to how animals digest food internally.
Compare fungi and animals to plants: Plants are autotrophic, meaning they produce their own food through photosynthesis using chloroplasts. Fungi and animals lack chloroplasts and do not perform photosynthesis.
Clarify the incorrect options: Fungi do not have cell walls made of cellulose (their cell walls are made of chitin), and they do not reproduce exclusively by binary fission (they reproduce through spores or other methods). These characteristics are not shared with animals.
Conclude the shared characteristic: The correct answer is that fungi and animals are both heterotrophic and obtain nutrients by absorption, which distinguishes them from autotrophic organisms like plants.
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