What is one main characteristic of fungi?

Fungi are primarily characterized by their method of nutrient acquisition, which involves the absorption of nutrients through their cell walls. Unlike plants, fungi do not have the capability to photosynthesize, as they lack chlorophyll and do not convert sunlight into energy. Instead, fungi break down organic matter through external digestion; they release enzymes into their environment that decompose complex substances, allowing them to absorb simpler organic compounds through their cell walls.

This absorptive method of nutrition is a defining trait of fungi, as it enables them to thrive in diverse environments, playing crucial roles in ecosystems as decomposers. Other characteristics, such as reproduction through spores rather than seeds and their generally immobile nature, further emphasize their unique biology, but the key focus remains on how fungi absorb nutrients rather than producing them through photosynthesis or movement.