Chapter 19, Problem 12STP

Summary Introduction

To analyze : 

The reason behind classifying Fungi and plants in separate kingdoms.

Introduction :

Earlier, the classification of organisms was based on the presence or absence of a cell wall. It resulted in the formation of two groups, plants, and animals. The members of the kingdom Plantae are distinguished by the presence of a cell wall. All the members of kingdom fungi were placed in the plant kingdom. One of the objections raised against placing fungi and plants together is that fungi differ in the structure, physiology, and reproductive details from that of plants.

Explanation of Solution

The reason behind placing fungi and plants in different kingdoms are: -

• Fungi possess cell walls, but they are non-cellulosic and made up of chitin, while plants have cellulosic cell walls. 
• Fungi are heterotrophic and thus lack chloroplasts, while plants are autotrophic have chloroplasts to carry out the process of photosynthesis.

Conclusion

Fungi and plants differ in cell wall composition and their mode of nutrition. Both of these reasons serve the basis of their classification in separate kingdoms.