Which organisms are saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotes lacking chlorophyll, including molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts?

• A. Bacteria
• B. Algae
• C. Fungus
• D. Protozoa

Answer: (C)

Saprophytic and parasitic, spore-producing eukaryotes that lack chlorophyll are fungi. This kingdom includes molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts, all of which absorb nutrients rather than producing their own food through photosynthesis and reproduce by spores. They’re distinct from bacteria, which are prokaryotes; from algae, which contain chlorophyll and photosynthesize; and from protozoa, which are typically single-celled eukaryotes without the characteristic fungal growth forms.