Difference Between Fungi and Plants

Fungi

vs

Plants

Both fungi and plants were considered to be of the same group of

living things till recently. However, they are now categorized under
different groups. Plants and fungi make up two of the five groups that
comprise the kingdom of living things on earth The identification of
these differences between the two is a comparatively recent
phenomenon. It was only possible when the microscope was
discovered in 1700.
The most important difference between plants and fungi is that plants
can make their own food, while fungi cannot. As you know, plants use
carbon dioxide, sunlight and water to create their own food. This
process is known as photosynthesis. Fungi, on the other hand are
incapable of making their own food. They usually eat off their host as
parasites or decompose matter and take it as their food. This is the
most important difference you need to remember about plants and
fungi.
This brings us to the second difference. Fungi do not possess
chlorophyll, that green substance that gives plants their beautiful
green color and helps in photosynthesis.

The next difference between plants and fungi relate to their method of
reproduction. As we all know, reproduction is one of the main things
that differentiate a living thing from a nonliving one. Plants reproduce
through pollen and seeds. However, fungi reproduce through
numerous spores. They do not have pollen, fruit or seeds.
Another important difference between them relates to the way they are
attached. All plants have a system of roots that attach the plant to the
ground and help it in soaking moisture. However, if you were to look
at fungi very closely, you would find them spreading a sort of net of
filaments on the surface of the plant or whatever they are attaching to.
This helps them attach to their host. There are no complex root
systems, stems or leaves in fungi.
Plants and fungi also have different roles to play in the whole
ecological system. Plants are predominantly considered to be
producers, because they produce food. They create biomass through
the process of photosynthesis. The role of fungi is just the opposite.
They are the decomposers who break down biomass. Imagine what
this earth would be without these busy cleaners- just a large dustbin
that was never cleaned out!
Finally, the cell walls on a plant are lined with cellulose, while those of
the fungi are made of chitin- a material that is also found on the
exoskeletons of crabs, lobsters and insects.
Summary:

1. Plants have chlorophyll and can produce their own food, fungi live
off

others,

and

they

cannot

produce

their

own

food.

2. Plants reproduce through seeds and pollen, fungi reproduce

through

spores

3. Plants have roots, stem sand leaves. Fungi only have filaments
which

attach

to

the

host.

4. Plants are the producers in the eco system, fungi are the
decomposers.
5. The cell walls on plants are made of cellulose, while those of fungi
are made of chitin