How do fungi obtain their nutrients?

Fungi obtain their nutrients through a unique process that involves excreting enzymes into their environment. These enzymes break down complex organic materials into simpler compounds, which the fungi can then absorb. This method of nutrient acquisition is known as extracellular digestion. Fungi do not take in food in the same way that animals do; instead, they rely on their ability to decompose organic matter, including dead plants and animals, as well as other organic substances in their environment.

This method of nutrient acquisition allows fungi to thrive in various ecosystems, breaking down organic material that would otherwise accumulate and decompose, playing a critical role in nutrient cycling. The excretion of enzymes demonstrates the fungi's adaptation to their environments, making them effective decomposers and recyclers of nutrients.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe how fungi obtain their nutrients. Fungi do not absorb processed food like some organisms; they do not perform photosynthesis since they lack chlorophyll; and while some fungi may engage in interactions with other organisms (for example, mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants), they do not consume them in a predatory sense. Instead, their role as saprophytes enables them to break down and absorb nutrients from non-l