Fungal Nutrition & Symbiosis — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptMost fungi are heterotrophic and absorb soluble organic matter from dead substrates and hence are called saprophytes. Those that depend on living plants and animals are called parasites. They can also live as symbionts – in association with algae as lichens and with roots of higher plants as mycorrhiza.
Assertion (A): All fungi are saprophytes that absorb organic matter from dead substrates. Reason (R): Fungi constitute a unique kingdom of heterotrophic organisms.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: D — If the assertion is false but the reason is true.
NCERT states “Most fungi are heterotrophic and absorb soluble organic matter from dead substrates and hence are called saprophytes” - the qualifier “most” acknowledges that some fungi are parasitic or symbiotic, not saprophytic. The Assertion removes this qualifier making it false. NCERT confirms “The fungi constitute a unique kingdom of heterotrophic organisms” making the Reason true but not explaining the false Assertion.
What does NCERT say about Most fungi are heterotrophic?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.