Chapter 32, Problem 2S

Summary Introduction

To evaluate:

The importance of fungi in the colonization of land.

Introduction:

Fungi are eukaryotic, unicellular or multicellular, achlorophyllous, heterotrophic organisms. They, along with bacteria play a very crucial role in the process of decomposition to release organic matter essential for other organisms. Fungi are the organisms that helped plant in transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments.

The fungi form symbiotic association with the roots of plant called mycorrhizae. The fungi have haustoria that enters into the root cells and provide nutrients from the soil to the plant cells. The plant cell in turn provides carbohydrates to the fungi.