What do fungi require for nutrition?

Fungi primarily acquire their nutrients through absorption, decomposing organic matter. They do not have chlorophyll and cannot perform photosynthesis like plants, which means they rely on external sources of carbon and nutrients. The energy and nutrients they need come from breaking down dead organic material such as decaying plants and animals, as well as organic substances within living hosts in some cases.

This mode of nutrition is crucial for ecosystems because fungi play a key role in nutrient cycling. By decomposing dead materials, they convert complex organic compounds into simpler substances that can be reused by other organisms, thereby supporting plant growth and promoting overall soil health. Fungal interactions with living plants can also involve parasitic relationships, where fungi derive nutrients from their hosts, but this is less common compared to their role in decomposing dead matter.

Thus, the requirement for dead organic matter or other living things highlights the heterotrophic nature of fungi, affirming that they depend on other biological sources for their nutritional needs.