Question

Determine whether each of the following is a characteristic of a protist, fungus, or both.


Unicellular

Stationary

Reproduces through spores

Eukaryotic

Cilia

Autotrophic
A Venn Diagram is shown. One circle is labeled protists, the other circle is labeled fungi, and the overlapping part is labeled both.

Answer 1

Place the items in the Venn diagram as follows (Protists only / Fungi only / Both), with brief reasons:

- Unicellular — Protists (most protists are unicellular; note: some fungi—yeasts—are unicellular exceptions)
- Stationary — Fungi (fungi are generally nonmotile, growing attached or as mycelium)
- Reproduces through spores — Both (fungi commonly use spores; many protists — e.g. some algae and slime molds — also form spores)
- Eukaryotic — Both (both groups have eukaryotic cells with nuclei)
- Cilia — Protists (many protists use cilia for movement; fungi do not have cilia)
- Autotrophic — Protists (many protists, such as algae, are photosynthetic; fungi are heterotrophic)