Correct option is C
The correct answer is option (c) Both parasitic and saprophytic.
Explanation
Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that can exist in different nutritional modes. They can be:
Saprophytic: These fungi obtain nutrients by decomposing dead organic matter. Examples include mushrooms, molds, and yeasts that break down decaying matter, recycling nutrients in ecosystems.
Parasitic: Some fungi are parasitic, meaning they obtain nutrients from living organisms, often harming the host in the process. Examples include rusts and smuts that infect plants and athlete’s foot caused by the fungus Trichophyton.
Thus, fungi can be both parasitic and saprophytic, depending on the environment and the type of fungus.
Information Booster
Fungi play an essential role in decomposition and the cycling of nutrients in ecosystems.
Fungal spores can be airborne, allowing them to spread easily and colonize new areas.
Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants, assisting in nutrient absorption, especially phosphorus.