Nutrition (and Excretion) of Fungi

Fungi feed by extracellular digestion carried out by hyphae. They secret digestive enzymes on to the nutrient (out side of fungi) to break it down. Food molecules are then absorbed into fungi as they are small enough to enter through passive diffusion.

• Fungi also use passive diffusion to excrete waste products.

Passive diffusion: Passive diffusion moves waste materials from high concentration area to low concentration area and does not require ATP energy. This passive movement will occur until equilibrium is reached, where concentration of waste on both area is the same.