Mushrooms don't move and grow in soil like plants — so why are fungi a separate kingdom?
Classification rests on cell structure and nutrition, not appearance.
Classification rests on cell structure and nutrition, not appearance. Fungi have no chlorophyll, so they can't make their own food; instead they absorb nutrients from dead or living matter (saprophytic or parasitic). Their cell walls are made of chitin, not the cellulose of plants. Because they are heterotrophic absorbers with chitin walls, fungi are placed in their own kingdom, distinct from Plantae.
Key point
Fungi are heterotrophic (absorptive) with chitin walls and no chlorophyll — not plants.
Common mistake
classing fungi as plants because they're non-motile and grounded.
Memory tip
no chlorophyll + chitin wall + absorb food = Kingdom Fungi.
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