Question

Compare and contrast two different clades or branches on the tree of life (these can be big “branches” like plants vs. fungi,” or smaller ones, like “flatworms vs. roundworms.” How are the two groups different in their physical structure and organization, ecology (including how the acquire nutrition), life history, (how and when they reproduce)?

Answer 1

Plants, such as trees and ferns, are eukaryotic, non-motile organisms that use photosynthesis to get energy. While both plants and fungi have cell walls, the cell walls in plants are made of cellulose. Fungus, such as mushrooms, yeast, and mold, are eukaryotic, non-motile organisms that are heterotrophic, which means that they must take in nutrients for energy. They have cell walls made of chitin.

Different characteristics of plants and fungi

While both are eukaryotic and don't move, plants are autotrophic - making their own energy - and have cell walls made of cellulose, but fungi are heterotrophic - taking in food for energy - and have cell walls made of chitin.