Write a note on kingdom Fungi.

The kingdom fungi includes yeast, mushrooms, moulds, rusts, etc. These are eukaryotic and non-vascular organisms. They occupy dark and damp habitats and grow in any direction. Fungi are filamentous. Their bodies consist of long, slender thread-like structures called hyphae. The network of hyphae is known as mycelium. Fungi can reproduce vegetatively, asexually and sexually. Most fungi are heterotrophic and absorb soluble organic matter from dead substrates and hence are called saprophytes.

Some fungal species live in permanent mutually dependent relationships with bluegreen algae (or cyanobacteria). Such relationships are called symbiotic. These symbiobic life forms are called lichens.