A group of saprobic, symbiotic, or parasitic eukaryotic organisms containing some 50 000 recognized species divided among some 5100 genera. However it has been estimated that the actual number of species may be between 100 000 and 250 000. The name fungi has been used as a general term, lacking any systematic meaning, but now such organisms are often placed in a separate kingdom Fungi (Mycota), distinct from the green plants. They differ from green plants in not possessing chlorophyll and are thus heterotrophic, usually obtaining food by absorption, though some lower fungi, possibly more closely allied to the Protozoa, take in food by ingestion. Fungal cell walls are characteristically chitinized or composed of fungal cellulose. The kingdom Fungi contains two divisions, the * Myxomycota and the * Eumycota. |
