Fungi are __________ organisms.

• A. chemoautotrophic
• B. photoautotrophic
• C. mixotrophic
• D. photoheterotrophic
• E. chemoheterotrophic

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the term 'chemoheterotrophic': Fungi obtain their energy by consuming organic compounds, which means they rely on other organisms for food. They do not produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
2. Review the definitions of the other options: 'Chemoautotrophic' organisms produce their own food using chemical energy, 'photoautotrophic' organisms use light energy to produce food, 'mixotrophic' organisms can use a mix of different sources of energy and carbon, and 'photoheterotrophic' organisms use light for energy but require organic compounds for carbon.
3. Recognize that fungi do not perform photosynthesis, ruling out 'photoautotrophic' and 'photoheterotrophic'.
4. Note that fungi do not produce their own food through chemical reactions, which rules out 'chemoautotrophic'.
5. Conclude that fungi are 'chemoheterotrophic' because they obtain energy and carbon from organic compounds, relying on other organisms for sustenance.