Fungi are heterotrophic, they digest their food by releasing enzymes into their environment Some fungi are parasitic and feed on living organisms - Saprophytic fungi however feed on dead organic remains.

• Often fungi are thought to be visible like mushrooms.
• Most however are microscopic.
• Typical fungal structure is a mass of fine filaments called hyphae (form a tangled mass called mycelium).
• Asexual reproduction is via reproductive hyphae called sporangiophores , the tip of which develops into a sporangium.
• Feeding is via fine branching hyphae (or rhizoids) which penetrate the organic substance, release the enzymes and absorb the nutrients.
• The diversity of digestive enzymes in different saprophytic fungi allows them to exploit unusual substances for food such as cloth, paint and photographic film.