Which of the following is a common characteristic of fungi?

• A. They perform oxygenic photosynthesis using chlorophyll in chloroplasts as their primary mode of nutrition.
• B. They are prokaryotic organisms lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
• C. They have cell walls primarily composed of chitin and obtain nutrients by absorption (chemoheterotrophic).
• D. Their cell walls are primarily composed of peptidoglycan.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key characteristics of fungi by recalling their cellular structure and mode of nutrition.
2. Understand that fungi are eukaryotic organisms, meaning they have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, so they are not prokaryotic.
3. Recall that fungi do not perform photosynthesis; instead, they obtain nutrients by absorbing organic material from their environment, making them chemoheterotrophic.
4. Recognize that fungal cell walls are primarily composed of chitin, a strong, flexible polysaccharide, which distinguishes them from plants and bacteria.
5. Compare the options given and confirm that the statement about fungi having cell walls made of chitin and obtaining nutrients by absorption correctly describes their common characteristics.