Question

Which one of the following is wrong for fungi?
A. They are heterotrophic
B. They are both unicellular and multicellular
C. They are eukaryotic
D. All fungi possess a purely cellulosic cell wall

Answer 1

Hint: Fungi are organisms which are important in nutrient cycling in the ecosystem. In Whittaker’s five-kingdom classification, they are placed as a different kingdom known as kingdom Fungi.

Complete answer: Organisms belonging to kingdom Fungi are heterotrophic in nature. The members of the kingdom are saprophytic in nature to be specific. That is they feed on dead and decaying substances and derive energy from it. Since they do not synthesize their own food, they are heterotrophic in nature. Fungal organisms can be either unicellular or multicellular. Yeast is an example of a fungus that is unicellular possessing a single cell while Rhizopus is a multicellular fungus that is made of more than one cell. Thus both unicellular and multicellular organisms can be found in kingdom Fungi. The cell walls of fungi are made up of a polysaccharide known as chitin. It is the most distinguishing feature of the kingdom. This material is responsible for providing rigidity to the fungal cells. Thus fungi do not possess a cell wall made of cellulose. The cellulosic wall is present in the kingdom Plantae. Fungal members possess a well-defined nucleus. Thus these organisms are eukaryotes. They have a well-differentiated cell structure, with membrane-bound organelles.
Thus, from the above-given options, D is the most appropriate option, since it is a statement which is wrong regarding kingdom fungi since fungi possess cell walls made of chitin and not purely cellulosic.

Note: Fungi have many commercial uses. Yeasts are used in the baking and brewing industry. Antibiotics such as Penicillin are derived from a fungus. Certain medicines such as Cyclosporin-A are also of fungal origin.