Which kingdom's members are multicellular eukaryotic heterotrophs with chitin in their cell walls?

Which kingdom's members are multicellular eukaryotic heterotrophs with chitin in their cell walls?

• A. Fungi
• B. Plantae
• C. Animalia
• D. Protista

Answer: (A)

Chitin in cell walls is a hallmark of fungi. These organisms are eukaryotic and heterotrophic, obtaining nutrients by absorbing them after secreting enzymes to degrade their food. The presence of chitin in their cell walls differentiates them from plants, which have cellulose walls and make their own food through photosynthesis, and from animals, which lack cell walls altogether. Fungi are typically multicellular with filamentous hyphae that form a network called a mycelium, though some fungi are unicellular yeasts. Protists are a diverse group and do not share this defining cell-wall makeup. So, the description points to fungi.

Chitin in cell walls is a hallmark of fungi. These organisms are eukaryotic and heterotrophic, obtaining nutrients by absorbing them after secreting enzymes to degrade their food. The presence of chitin in their cell walls differentiates them from plants, which have cellulose walls and make their own food through photosynthesis, and from animals, which lack cell walls altogether. Fungi are typically multicellular with filamentous hyphae that form a network called a mycelium, though some fungi are unicellular yeasts. Protists are a diverse group and do not share this defining cell-wall makeup. So, the description points to fungi.