**Fungi** are eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that have **chitin** cell walls. Unlike animals, fungal species do not ingest food materials, rather they feed through the absorption of nutrients from decaying matter present in the soil. Some fungi are considered parasitic and absorb nutrients from their host organisms.

All fungal species are considered multicellular (except for yeast), hence their body structure is composed of filaments called **hyphae** which are arranged together to form a *mycelium*.

Fungal species reproduce sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction involves mating of two fungal species, and asexual reproduction involves the production of spores.

All fungal species are considered **multicellular** (except for yeast), hence their body structure is composed of filaments called **hyphae** which are arranged together to form a **mycelium**. The mycelium is responsible for the absorption of nutrients because it gives a large surface area for the organism. As the fungal species grow, it will eventually produce a **fruiting body**. This structure is the reproductive structure of the fungal species.

**Fungi** are eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that have chitin cell walls. Unlike animals, fungal species do not ingest food materials, rather they feed through the absorption of nutrients from decaying matter present in the soil. Some fungi are considered parasitic and absorb nutrients from their host

**Fungal species** reproduce **sexually** and **asexually**. **Sexual reproduction** involves the mating of two fungal species, and asexual reproduction involves the production of spores.

**Fungi** can reproduce both sexually and asexually. In asexual reproduction, spores are produced in the structures called **sporangia**. These spores are usually scattered in the environment through *wind dispersal* and *animals*.

One example of asexual reproduction in fungi includes the **breaking off** of hyphae from the parent organism, and thus it grows on its own. This type of reproduction renders genetically similar organisms as no DNA exchange happened, and no other species were involved.