Fungi vs Plants
Both fungi and plants were considered to be of the same group of living things till recently. However, they are now categorized under different groups. Plants and fungi make up two of the five groups that comprise the kingdom of living things on earth. The identification of these differences between the two is a comparatively recent phenomenon. It was only possible when the microscope was discovered in 1700.
The most important difference between plants and fungi is that plants can make their own food, while fungi cannot. As you know, plants use carbon dioxide, sunlight and water to create their own food. This process is known as photosynthesis. Fungi, on the other hand are incapable of making their own food. They usually eat off their host as parasites or decompose matter and take it as their food. This is the most important difference you need to remember about plants and fungi.
This brings us to the second difference. Fungi do not possess chlorophyll, that green substance that gives plants their beautiful green color and helps in photosynthesis.
The next difference between plants and fungi relate to their method of reproduction. As we all know, reproduction is one of the main things that differentiate a living thing from a nonliving one. Plants reproduce through pollen and seeds. However, fungi reproduce through numerous spores. They do not have pollen, fruit or seeds.
Another important difference between them relates to the way they are attached. All plants have a system of roots that attach the plant to the ground and help it in soaking moisture. However, if you were to look at fungi very closely, you would find them spreading a sort of net of filaments on the surface of the plant or whatever they are attaching to. This helps them attach to their host. There are no complex root systems, stems or leaves in fungi.
Plants and fungi also have different roles to play in the whole ecological system. Plants are predominantly considered to be producers, because they produce food. They create biomass through the process of photosynthesis. The role of fungi is just the opposite. They are the decomposers who break down biomass. Imagine what this earth would be without these busy cleaners- just a large dustbin that was never cleaned out!
Finally, the cell walls on a plant are lined with cellulose, while those of the fungi are made of chitin- a material that is also found on the exoskeletons of crabs, lobsters and insects.
Summary:
1. Plants have chlorophyll and can produce their own food, fungi live off others, and they cannot produce their own food.
2. Plants reproduce through seeds and pollen, fungi reproduce through spores
3. Plants have roots, stem sand leaves. Fungi only have filaments which attach to the host.
4. Plants are the producers in the eco system, fungi are the decomposers.
5. The cell walls on plants are made of cellulose, while those of fungi are made of chitin.