Algae and Fungi are both living organisms but belong to different kingdoms of classification. Both of them are simple creatures and form the basis of their kingdom. Algae form the basis of the Kingdom Protista, and fungi form the basis for kingdom Mycota. Algae and Fungi differ from each other as Algae always needs to be in water or a water source nearby along with sunlight and chlorophyll to survive. But this does not apply to Fungi. Fungi feed on the dead and decayed matter and do not require sunlight and chlorophyll. Mushrooms can also be a variety of parasites, which are organisms that depend on the host for its survival.
An interesting fact about algae and fungi is that although there are significant differences between both algae and mildew, there are organisms that form a symbiotic relationship with algae and fungi. These are the hybrid versions of both these organisms called Lichens, that can produce their own by the process of photosynthesis. Also, they have the properties of fungi like shielding the plant from the sun's UV rays that help them to survive from the external environment.
Algae
Algae is a type of aquatic organism which can conduct photosynthesis. Examples of algae are the phytoplanktons, kelps, and the alga bloom that are seen in lakes. Phytoplanktons are the first organisms that produce almost 70% of the oxygen on earth. Hence, it is one of the leading microorganisms to continue the oxygen cycle. Also, eukaryotic algae reproduce by the help of sexual reproduction. They are dimorphic, hence, produce both male and female gametes that unite to form the zygote. But in the prokaryotic type, they produce motile spores that later divide by mitosis and grow into a new organism.
The Algae belong to the kingdom Protista. Algae is an umbrella term for many organisms that live in the water and which perform the function of photosynthesis. Most of the algae are found to be unicellular, but there also exist multicellular algae. They can be microscopic or macroscopic, in different shapes and sizes, and can also have a leafy appearance like in the case of Giant Kelp. They lack a vascular system that circulates nutrients throughout the organism, which is present in higher plants.
Algae can include both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. In prokaryotic organisms, there is a distinctive organism called cyanobacteria. The cyanobacteria are also known as blue-green algae. In the primitive era, during the formation of the earth, it is approximated that chloroplasts were only present in cyanobacteria. Plant organisms engulfed the cyanobacteria and thus photosynthesis was induced in the plants. Since then, plants perform the function of photosynthesis, and life could sustain on earth. But cyanobacteria are included in the kingdom monera as they do not have a well-defined nucleus.
Fungi
Fungi are organisms that were first thought to be a part of plants. But later, as technology developed, it was observed that these organisms did not require sunlight for their nutrition. They neither perform photosynthesis nor have distinctive features like other higher plants like angiosperms. There is a range of simple to complex varieties of organisms present in Fungi. Fungi include all bodies from simple unicellular to complex multicellular organisms.
Fungi are organisms that obtain their nutrition from degrading and breaking down dead and rotten plants. There are fungi like yeast which are single-celled bodies that are economically important as it is used in the food and beverage industries. Fungi like mushrooms are one of the favorite cuisines of many countries. Mushrooms can also be harmful, which can damage the cells in the organism due to the presence of toxins in mushrooms.
The multicellular fungi cells are joined together and form rows that resemble that of branches of trees. These branches are called hyphae and are of two types. If the cells are arranged right next to each other in a continuous row, then it is called coenocytic hyphae. If a cross wall separates the hyphae into compartments, then it is called septate hyphae. The fungi cannot perform photosynthesis on their own and produce food. They decompose the organic matter to derive their nutrition, and hence they are heterotrophs.
Difference Between Algae and Fungi
Conclusion
Algae are autotrophs that produce their own food; they are a central component of the ecosystem as they provide almost 70% of the oxygen. They are the primary producers of the ecosystem; most of aquatic organisms depend on them for their nutrients. They do not have developed roots, leaves, and shoot systems.
Fungi, on the other hand, are decomposers that gain their nutrition by breaking the dead and decayed organic matter. They have structures that resemble branches called hyphae, which are only present in multicellular organisms. They are also of ecological importance as the decomposition of dead matter cleans the environment and also provides nutrients for the soil to grow. And also of economic significance as yeasts are used in the food industry, and mushrooms are an essential cuisine for humans and animals.
FAQs on Difference Between Algae and Fungi
1. What are the primary differences between algae and fungi?
The main differences between algae and fungi are based on their mode of nutrition, cell wall composition, and presence of pigments. Here are the key distinctions:
- Mode of Nutrition: Algae are autotrophic, meaning they produce their own food through photosynthesis. Fungi are heterotrophic and get their nutrition by absorbing organic matter, acting as saprophytes, parasites, or symbionts.
- Photosynthetic Pigments: Algae contain chlorophyll and other pigments like carotenoids and phycobilins, which are essential for photosynthesis. Fungi completely lack chlorophyll.
- Cell Wall Composition: The cell wall in most algae is made of cellulose. In contrast, the cell wall of fungi is primarily made of chitin.
- Stored Food: Algae store their food reserves mainly as starch. Fungi store their food reserves as glycogen and oil globules.
2. How does the mode of nutrition differ between algae and fungi?
The mode of nutrition is a fundamental difference. Algae are producers in the food chain because they are photosynthetic autotrophs. They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create their own food. Fungi, on the other hand, are consumers or decomposers. As heterotrophs, they secrete digestive enzymes into their environment to break down organic matter and then absorb the resulting nutrients.
3. What are the main classes of algae as per the NCERT syllabus?
As per the CBSE syllabus for Class 11, algae are broadly categorised into three main classes based on their primary pigments:
- Chlorophyceae (Green Algae): They contain chlorophyll a and b, giving them a grass-green colour. Examples include Volvox and Spirogyra.
- Phaeophyceae (Brown Algae): They possess chlorophyll a, c, and a pigment called fucoxanthin, which gives them their characteristic brown shade. Examples include Laminaria and Fucus.
- Rhodophyceae (Red Algae): They have chlorophyll a, d, and a red pigment called phycoerythrin. Examples include Porphyra and Polysiphonia.
4. On what basis are fungi classified?
Fungi are primarily classified based on the morphology of their mycelium, the mode of spore formation, and the structures formed during sexual reproduction. The major classes include:
- Phycomycetes: Often called algal fungi, with aseptate and coenocytic mycelium.
- Ascomycetes: Known as sac-fungi, they produce sexual spores called ascospores inside a sac-like structure called an ascus.
- Basidiomycetes: Includes mushrooms and puffballs, they produce sexual spores called basidiospores on a club-shaped structure called a basidium.
- Deuteromycetes: Referred to as 'imperfect fungi' because their sexual reproduction stage is either absent or not known.
5. Despite their differences, what are some key similarities between algae and fungi?
Although they belong to different kingdoms, algae and fungi share a few important characteristics:
- Thalloid Body: Both have a simple plant body called a thallus, which is not differentiated into true roots, stems, or leaves.
- Cell Type: Both algae and fungi are eukaryotic organisms, meaning their cells contain a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
- Reproductive Structures: In both groups, the sex organs are generally not enclosed by a protective layer of sterile cells.
- Habitat: Many species of both algae and fungi thrive in moist or aquatic environments.
6. Why do algae show a variety of colours like green, brown, and red, while fungi do not?
The colour variation in algae is directly linked to their photosynthetic pigments. Different classes of algae have unique combinations of chlorophylls and accessory pigments (like fucoxanthin in brown algae and phycoerythrin in red algae) to absorb different wavelengths of light, which is crucial for survival at various water depths. Fungi, being heterotrophic, lack any photosynthetic pigments as they do not produce their own food. Their colouration, if any, is due to other non-photosynthetic compounds and is not related to energy capture.
7. How do the ecological roles of algae and fungi fundamentally differ in an ecosystem?
Their ecological roles are nearly opposite. Algae function as primary producers. Through photosynthesis, they convert solar energy into chemical energy, form the base of most aquatic food webs, and are major producers of atmospheric oxygen. Fungi, along with bacteria, are the principal decomposers of the biosphere. They break down dead organic material, returning vital nutrients like carbon and nitrogen to the soil and water, making them available for producers like algae and plants to use again.
8. What is the symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi in lichens?
Lichens are a classic example of a mutualistic symbiotic relationship between an algal partner (the phycobiont) and a fungal partner (the mycobiont). In this partnership:
- The alga performs photosynthesis and provides the fungus with carbohydrates for food.
- The fungus provides a protective structure for the alga, absorbs water and essential minerals from the surroundings, and shields it from harsh conditions like high UV radiation.
This collaboration allows lichens to colonise bare, inhospitable environments where neither organism could survive alone.
9. What is the importance of fungi in the medicine and food industries?
Fungi have significant economic importance. In medicine, the fungus Penicillium notatum is the source of the world's first antibiotic, penicillin, which revolutionised the treatment of bacterial infections. In the food industry, yeasts (a type of unicellular fungus, e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae) are essential for fermentation in baking bread and brewing alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, many species of mushrooms, like Agaricus, are consumed as nutritious food worldwide.
