Which kingdom includes organisms with cell walls containing chitin and digest organic material?

Prepare for your College Biology Exam 1 with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Test your understanding with detailed explanations and hints to ensure success in your biology exam!

Multiple Choice

Which kingdom includes organisms with cell walls containing chitin and digest organic material?

Explanation:
Chitin in cell walls and extracellular digestion define fungi. The cell walls of fungi contain chitin, a tough polysaccharide not found in plant cell walls (which are cellulose) or in animal cells (which generally lack cell walls). Fungi are heterotrophs that digest organic material by secreting enzymes into their surroundings and then absorbing the resulting nutrients, a mode of nutrition that differs from plants (which photosynthesize) and from many protists with varied feeding strategies. These two features together—chitin-containing walls and the ability to digest and absorb organic material externally—identify fungi.

Chitin in cell walls and extracellular digestion define fungi. The cell walls of fungi contain chitin, a tough polysaccharide not found in plant cell walls (which are cellulose) or in animal cells (which generally lack cell walls). Fungi are heterotrophs that digest organic material by secreting enzymes into their surroundings and then absorbing the resulting nutrients, a mode of nutrition that differs from plants (which photosynthesize) and from many protists with varied feeding strategies. These two features together—chitin-containing walls and the ability to digest and absorb organic material externally—identify fungi.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy