A fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms.
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A characteristic that places fungi in a different kingdom from plants, bacteria, and some protists is chitin in their cell walls.
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Fungi do not photosynthesize. Growth is their means of mobility, except for spores , which may travel through the air or water.
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Fungi are the principal decomposers in ecological systems.
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This fungal group is distinct from the structurally similar myxomycetes and oomycetes .
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The discipline of biology devoted to the study of fungi is known as mycology. In the past, mycology was regarded as a branch of botany, although it is now known fungi are genetically more closely related to animals than to plants.
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Fungi include symbionts of plants, animals, or other fungi and also parasites.
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Fungi perform an essential role in the decomposition of organic matter and have fundamental roles in nutrient cycling and exchange in the environment.
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