How do fungi differ from plants?

Fungi are distinct from plants primarily because they have a cell wall made of chitin, whereas plants have a cell wall composed of cellulose. Chitin is a complex carbohydrate that provides structural support to the cells of fungi, making their cell walls strong and flexible. This characteristic is one of the key differences that separates these two groups in the domain of eukaryotic organisms.

Additionally, fungi obtain nutrients through absorption rather than photosynthesis, as they do not contain chlorophyll or the structures required for this process. While some fungi can be unicellular, many exist as multicellular organisms, showing diversity in structures such as mushrooms and molds. Unlike plant cells, all fungi possess a nucleus, which distinguishes them as eukaryotes. This cell wall composition and the method of obtaining nutrition underscore the fundamental differences between fungi and plants.