In saprophytic nutrition the organisms obtain their food from dead and decaying organic matter of dead plants, dead animals and other decomposing organic matter. And the organisms which obtain their food from dead and decaying organic matter of dead plants, dead animals and other organic matter are called saprophytes. Fungi, bread mould, some protists and many bacteria are saprophytic in nutrition.
In this type, the saprophytic organisms like fungi release digestive enzymes in their surrounding medium to convert the complex organic molecules such as sugars in simple forms such as glucose. This simple food is then absorbed through the body surface, and utilized for various activities by fungus.
Test Your Understanding and Answer These Questions:
- What do you meant by saprophytic nutrition?
- Define saprophytes. Give examples of saprophytes.
- Explain nutrition in fungi.