Give a comparative account of the classes of Kingdom Fungi under the following:
(i) mode of nutrition
(ii) mode of reproduction

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> [!TLDR]
> The four fungal classes (Phycomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Deuteromycetes) are compared here by their mode of nutrition (mostly saprophytic or parasitic) and their mode of reproduction (differing chiefly in the type of asexual and sexual spores).

The **fungi** are **heterotrophic** organisms. Most absorb soluble organic matter from dead substrates and are called **saprophytes**; those that depend on living plants and animals are **parasites**; some live as **symbionts** (as lichens with algae and as mycorrhiza with plant roots). The morphology of the mycelium, mode of spore formation and fruiting bodies form the basis for dividing the kingdom into classes.

**(i) Mode of nutrition**

| Class | Mode of nutrition |
|---|---|
| **Phycomycetes** | Found in aquatic habitats and on decaying wood in moist, damp places, or as **obligate parasites** on plants |
| **Ascomycetes** | **Saprophytic, decomposers, parasitic** or **coprophilous** (growing on dung) |
| **Basidiomycetes** | Grow in soil, on logs and tree stumps, and in living plant bodies as **parasites** (e.g., rusts and smuts) |
| **Deuteromycetes** | **Saprophytes or parasites**; a large number are **decomposers** of litter that help in mineral cycling |

**(ii) Mode of reproduction**

| Class | Asexual reproduction | Sexual reproduction |
|---|---|---|
| **Phycomycetes** | By **zoospores (motile)** or **aplanospores (non-motile)** produced endogenously in a **sporangium** | **Zygospore** formed by fusion of two gametes (isogamous, anisogamous or oogamous) |
| **Ascomycetes** | By **conidia** produced exogenously on **conidiophores** | **Ascospores** produced endogenously in sac-like **asci** arranged in fruiting bodies called **ascocarps** | …

Class	Mode of nutrition
Phycomycetes	Found in aquatic habitats and on decaying wood in moist, damp places, or as obligate parasites on plants
Ascomycetes	Saprophytic, decomposers, parasitic or coprophilous (growing on dung)
Basidiomycetes	Grow in soil, on logs and tree stumps, and in living plant bodies as parasites (e.g., rusts and smuts)
Deuteromycetes	Saprophytes or parasites; a large number are decomposers of litter that help in mineral cycling

Class	Asexual reproduction	Sexual reproduction
Phycomycetes	By zoospores (motile) or aplanospores (non-motile) produced endogenously in a sporangium	Zygospore formed by fusion of two gametes (isogamous, anisogamous or oogamous)
Ascomycetes	By conidia produced exogenously on conidiophores	Ascospores produced endogenously in sac-like asci arranged in fruiting bodies called ascocarps

Q.Give a comparative account of the classes of Kingdom Fungi under the following:

Concept understanding — Kingdom Fungi: The Four Classes

Q.Give a comparative account of the classes of Kingdom Fungi under the following:

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