A fungus (plural: fungi) is a type of eukaryotic organism that includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. It belongs to one of the traditional eukaryotic kingdoms, alongside Animalia and Plantae.
Fungi are distinct from plants and bacteria because their cell walls contain chitin. Like animals, they are heterotrophs, obtaining nutrients by absorbing dissolved molecules through digestive enzymes. Fungi do not photosynthesize and primarily move through growth, although spores can travel through air or water. They play a vital role in ecosystems as decomposers.
Fungi are classified into Eumycota (true fungi), sharing a common ancestor, which is supported by molecular phylogenetics. This group is separate from myxomycetes (slime molds) and oomycetes (water molds). The study of fungi is known as mycology, which has evolved from being a branch of botany to a field recognizing fungi’s closer genetic relationship to animals.
