Fungi Are Closer to Animals Than to Plants
A fungus is an organism of its own kingdom. Genetics places fungi nearer to animals than to the plants they were long grouped with.
A fungus is an organism of the kingdom Fungi, feeding by absorbing nutrients rather than making its own. Molecular evidence produced a surprise: fungi share a more recent common ancestor with animals than with plants. Both fungi and animals store energy as glycogen and both must consume other organisms, while plants photosynthesise and store starch.
- An organism of the fungal kingdom. *A soil fungus.*
- Fungi / funguses — both plurals. *Various fungi.*
- Fungal — relating to fungi. *A fungal infection.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | fungus | A parasitic fungus. |
| Plural | fungi | Woodland fungi. |
| Plural | funguses | Two funguses. |
| Adjective | fungal | Fungal spores. |
| Field | mycology | A course in mycology. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Fungi are closer to animals than plants.Molecular phylogenetics.
- A mushroom is only the fruiting body.Most of the organism is underground.
- Mycology is the study of fungi.From Greek *mykes*.
Fungal facts
- Chitin — fungal cell walls use it, as insect shells do
- Mycelium — the network of threads forming most of the organism
- Largest organism — a honey fungus in Oregon spans several square kilometres
- Mycorrhiza — the partnership between fungi and plant roots
- Penicillin — derived from a mould, and one of medicine's great discoveries
From Latin *fungus*, a mushroom, probably from Greek *spongos*, a sponge — related to English *sponge*.
Fungi or funguses?
Both are correct. Fungi follows the Latin and is standard in science.
Is a mushroom the whole fungus?
No. It is the fruiting body. The main organism is a network of threads called mycelium, usually hidden in soil or wood.