Question

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


Mycelium

Heterotrophic

Pseudopods

Contain cell walls with chitin

Fruiting body

Flagellum

Answer 1

Mycelium — Fungus
- Network of hyphae typical of fungi (although some fungus-like protists such as oomycetes also form hyphae).

Heterotrophic — Both
- Both groups include organisms that obtain carbon from other organisms.

Pseudopods — Protist
- Pseudopodia are used by amoeboid protists for movement/feeding; fungi do not form pseudopods.

Contain cell walls with chitin — Fungus
- Fungal cell walls are made of chitin (most protists have different wall compositions).

Fruiting body — Both
- Classic in fungi (mushrooms), but some protists (e.g., slime molds) also form fruiting bodies.

Flagellum — Both
- Common in many protists; a few fungi (chytrids) produce flagellated spores.