Describe four features of fungi that distinguish them from plants.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Mucor is a multicellular fungus commonly found growing on decaying organic matter. Unlike plants, fungi obtain their nutrients in a distinctive way and have a different body structure and cell wall composition.
Model answer (4 marks)
1. Their cell walls are composed of chitin, not cellulose.
2. They are saprotrophic, secreting digestive enzymes onto food and absorbing the resulting small molecules.
3. They lack chloroplasts and therefore cannot photosynthesise.
4. Their bodies are made of thread‑like hyphae that form a mycelium, giving them a multicellular, filamentous structure.
2. They are saprotrophic, secreting digestive enzymes onto food and absorbing the resulting small molecules.
3. They lack chloroplasts and therefore cannot photosynthesise.
4. Their bodies are made of thread‑like hyphae that form a mycelium, giving them a multicellular, filamentous structure.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact terms "chitin", "saprotrophic", "chloroplasts", "hyphae" to match the mark scheme.
- List each feature as a separate point to show clear organisation.
Common mistakes
- Confusing chitin with cellulose or missing the word "chitin". Failing to mention the lack of chloroplasts or the hyphal structure.
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Fungi have a cell wall made of chitin (not cellulose as in plants)
- Fungi use saprotrophic nutrition / secrete digestive enzymes onto food outside the cell and absorb the digested products
- Fungi do not contain chloroplasts / cannot photosynthesise
- Fungi have a hyphal structure / body is made of hyphae (forming a mycelium) / are multicellular with thread-like filaments
Related
- All Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Describe" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →