Why do fungi deprend on living things?

Answer 1

Fungi are consumers officially, though they do not eat other living things like Animals they do 'consume' them but in an odd way. Fungi receive energy(which all organisms require) by growing onto a living thing and sucking out the nutrients. An example of this is when you see a mushroom growing on the side of a tree. The mushroom is stealing the nutrients from the tree to survive.

Answer 2

Fungi depend on living things as a food source because they are heterotrophic organisms that cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis like plants. They obtain nutrients from living or dead organic matter by secreting enzymes to break down complex molecules into simpler forms that they can absorb and use for energy. This process is essential for nutrient recycling in ecosystems as fungi play a critical role in decomposing organic matter.