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The Learning Kingdom's Cool Fact of the Day for September 10, 1999
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Where do fungi fit in the tree of life?
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Although life forms in the Fungus Kingdom (molds, mushrooms, and
yeasts) may seem like plants, they are actually more closely related
to animals. In the history of life, fungi and primitive animals
branched apart after plants had evolved.
Like some kinds of animal cells, the cells of fungi are surrounded by
walls made out of chitin, a complex molecule made of sugar and
nitrogen. Plants use cellulose for their cell walls.
Fungi get their energy by breaking down organic molecules which they
soak up directly from their environment. They emit substances that
chop complex organic molecules into smaller ones that are easy to
absorb. Fungi are vital to the global ecosystem because they are so
good at breaking down anything organic.
More about Kingdom Fungi:
http://www.perspective.com/nature/fungi/
More Cool Facts about fungi:
http://www.cool-fact.com/archive/1998/05/14.html
http://www.cool-fact.com/archive/1998/01/26..html
http://www.cool-fact.com/archive/1998/08/17.html
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