What are 4 differences between plants and fungi?

R.H.Whittaker classified organisms based on several characteristics. Cellular organization, reproduction, phylogeny, mode of nutrition, etc. are taken into account. Thus, plants and fungi are classified under separate kingdoms.

Plants are multicellular, eukaryotic autotrophs with a rigid cell wall. They have different parts for support, anchorage and photosynthesis. They have photosynthetic pigment called chlorophyll, and can make their own food. Thus, they are considered as primary producers in an ecosystem.

What are 4 differences between plants and fungi?

Fungi

Fungi are also eukaryotes. They include both microscopic (yeast) and macroscopic (mushrooms) organisms. Most fungi are filamentous structures. They have long thread-like hyphae, which form a network called mycelium.

They lack chlorophyll and show a heterotrophic mode of nutrition. They have a vital role in the ecosystem as decomposers. Spores help in the reproduction of fungi.

Extended Reading: Kingdom Fungi

What are 4 differences between plants and fungi?

Difference between Plants and Fungi

Plants

Fungi

Plants are autotrophic eukaryotes. Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotes.
They are producers in a food chain. They are decomposers in a food chain.
Their cell wall is made of cellulose. Their cell wall is made of chitin.
The food is usually stored as starch. The food is stored as glycogen.
Plants have chlorophyll. Fungi do not have chlorophyll.
Most of the plants have roots, leaves and stems. The fungal body includes hyphae (they interconnect to form mycelium).
Sexual reproduction – Fusion of male and female gametes happen to produce offspring.

Asexual reproduction – The two major types are apomixis and vegetative propagation.

Sexual reproduction – The cytoplasm and nucleus of the two-parent cells fuse to form a gamete. They undergo meiosis to produce spores.

Asexual reproduction – This happens through spores, budding or fragmentation.

Plant kingdom classification includes – Thallophyta, Pteridophyta, Bryophyta, Gymnosperms and Angiosperms. Kingdom fungi includes – Ascomycetes, Zygomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Deuteromycetes.
Examples – Coconut tree, Rose plant, etc. Examples – Molds, Mushrooms, etc.

Also Read: Differences between Fungi and Algae

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mycology?

The study of fungi is termed mycology. The fungi are eukaryotes that include yeast and mushrooms. The structure and properties of fungi, along with their relationship with other organisms, are explored in mycology.

What are the similarities between plants and fungi?

Both fungi and plants are eukaryotes. They do not show any movement or locomotion. Also, both plants and fungi have membrane-bound nuclei.

Do fungi have chloroplast?

No, fungi do not have chloroplast as well as chlorophyll. They are heterotrophic organisms. Their mode of nutrition can be symbiotic, parasitic or saprophytic. Fungi produce enzymes to break complex organic food into its simpler forms.

What are cryptogams and phanerogams?

Cryptogams and phanerogams are classifications under the plant kingdom. Cryptogams include non-flowering plants such as bryophytes, thallophytes and pteridophytes. Phanerogams include flowering plants like angiosperms and non-flowering plants like gymnosperms.

Also see: Plant Kingdom Classification

What are 4 differences between plants and fungi?

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• Categorized under Nature,Science | Difference Between Fungi and Plants

What are 4 differences between plants and fungi?
Fungi vs Plants
Both fungi and plants were considered to be of the same group of living things till recently. However, they are now categorized under different groups. Plants and fungi make up two of the five groups that comprise the kingdom of living things on earth. The identification of these differences between the two is a comparatively recent phenomenon. It was only possible when the microscope was discovered in 1700.

The most important difference between plants and fungi is that plants can make their own food, while fungi cannot. As you know, plants use carbon dioxide, sunlight and water to create their own food. This process is known as photosynthesis. Fungi, on the other hand are incapable of making their own food. They usually eat off their host as parasites or decompose matter and take it as their food. This is the most important difference you need to remember about plants and fungi.

This brings us to the second difference. Fungi do not possess chlorophyll, that green substance that gives plants their beautiful green color and helps in photosynthesis.

The next difference between plants and fungi relate to their method of reproduction. As we all know, reproduction is one of the main things that differentiate a living thing from a nonliving one. Plants reproduce through pollen and seeds. However, fungi reproduce through numerous spores. They do not have pollen, fruit or seeds.

Another important difference between them relates to the way they are attached. All plants have a system of roots that attach the plant to the ground and help it in soaking moisture. However, if you were to look at fungi very closely, you would find them spreading a sort of net of filaments on the surface of the plant or whatever they are attaching to. This helps them attach to their host. There are no complex root systems, stems or leaves in fungi.

Plants and fungi also have different roles to play in the whole ecological system. Plants are predominantly considered to be producers, because they produce food. They create biomass through the process of photosynthesis. The role of fungi is just the opposite. They are the decomposers who break down biomass. Imagine what this earth would be without these busy cleaners- just a large dustbin that was never cleaned out!

Finally, the cell walls on a plant are lined with cellulose, while those of the fungi are made of chitin- a material that is also found on the exoskeletons of crabs, lobsters and insects.

Summary:

1. Plants have chlorophyll and can produce their own food, fungi live off others, and they cannot produce their own food.
2. Plants reproduce through seeds and pollen, fungi reproduce through spores
3. Plants have roots, stem sand leaves. Fungi only have filaments which attach to the host.
4. Plants are the producers in the eco system, fungi are the decomposers.
5. The cell walls on plants are made of cellulose, while those of fungi are made of chitin.

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APA 7
Mukherjee, P. (2009, September 20). Difference Between Fungi and Plants. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-fungi-and-plants/.
MLA 8
Mukherjee, Purpa. "Difference Between Fungi and Plants." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 20 September, 2009, http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-fungi-and-plants/.

Written by : Purpa Mukherjee. and updated on 2009, September 20

Articles on DifferenceBetween.net are general information, and are not intended to substitute for professional advice. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages.

What are some differences between fungi and plants?

Plants are producers, using the energy of the sun to make seeds, cones, and spores to reproduce, while fungi are decomposers that break down decaying matter. Fungi create a fruiting body, the part of the mushroom we see aboveground that release spores to reproduce.

How do fungi differ from plants 4 points?

fungi contain vascular tissues but plants do not. fungi have cell walls of cellulose but plants have walls of chitin. fungi are autotrophic organisms but plants are not.