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> Research & Conservation > Fungi > What are Fungi?
 

What are Fungi?

Fungi belong to a separate Kingdom to Plants and Animals. 

They have no chlorophyll, so they cannot use light from the sun to make their own food.

They don't eat their own food but break down dead and decaying plant and animal matter before it is absorbed.

This makes fungi very important in the cycle of life.

There are 5 Kingdoms of organisms

  • Plants
  • Animals
  • Bacteria
  • Fungi
  • Single cell organisms and algae

People often think of mushrooms as a type of plant. Mushrooms belong to a separate group of organisms called fungi.

Other types of fungi include toadstools, puffballs, truffles, yeast, bread mould and skin infections like tinea.

 

 

Diagram: Fungal fruiting body

 

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