Question

Fungi shows __________ mode of nutrition.
(a)Saprophytic
(b)Autotrophic
(c)Parasitic
(d)None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Fungi obtain their nutrition by absorbing organic compounds from the environment, such as from the non-living organic matter, usually dead and decaying matter.

Complete answer:
Fungi are heterotrophic, eukaryotic organisms that derive their nutrition from external sources. Mainly fungi are free-living in soil or water and the others form parasitic or symbiotic relationships with plants or animals. Fungi are unable to make their own food material, so they depend on other organisms. They are either saprophytes or parasites. Fungi obtain nutrients from dead, organic matter, hence they are called saprophytes. Fungi produce some kind of digestive enzymes for breaking down complex food into a simple form of food. Such, simple form of food is utilized by fungi. This is defined as the saprophytic mode of nutrition. Saprophytic fungi are indispensable in the maintenance of the carbon and mineral cycles in nature, and the decomposition of cellulose and lignin present in the dead vegetation. Thus they clear the ‘garbage' in nature. The organisms which depend on living plants and animals are called parasites. They can also live as symbionts, which live in association with algae as lichens and with roots of higher plants as mycorrhiza.
So, the correct option is ‘Saprophytic.

Note: -Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot make their own food and depend on others for their feeding.
-Parasites live on or in the living organism and absorb food from them. If it lives on the surface of the host, it is called an ectoparasite. If the fungus lives inside the organism, it is called endoparasite. Parasites have some specialized absorbing structures called haustoria that are developed as hyphal outgrowths. They absorb food material from the host.