Absorption in the Life of a Fungus.

Fungi export their digestive enzymes to their immediate environment breaking down the organic compounds around them, then absorbing the smaller bits of food.  This technique allows fungi to act in 1 of 3 niches:  saprobe, parasite, or mutualist.  Saprobic symbionts tend to decompose nonliving organic material.  Parasitic symbionts obtain nutrients from their living host's cells.  Mutualistic symbionts also absorb materials from a living organism; however, these fungi provide beneficial services for their host.  An example of mutualism with fungi would be the helping of a plant to uptake minerals from soil; the fungus would offer this service, the plant would offer nutrients and increased safety for the fungus.

Where Fungi Like to Live.

Most fungi are terrestrial but some are water-dwellers.  Many are inside plants and insects.  Fungi also forms mutualistic relationships with algae (e.g., lichens).

Next:  "Fungi Structure."