GACE Middle Grades Science Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Test Preparation

The kingdom that contains multicellular eukaryotes, including molds and mushrooms, is the Kingdom Fungi. This kingdom is primarily composed of organisms that are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain their food by absorbing nutrients from organic matter. Fungi play essential roles in ecosystems as decomposers and are crucial for nutrient cycling.

Characteristic features of the Fungi kingdom include the presence of chitin in their cell walls, which distinguishes them from plants (which have cellulose) and other kingdoms. Fungi reproduce through spores and include both unicellular forms, like yeast, and multicellular forms, such as mushrooms and molds.

This makes Kingdom Fungi unique in its composition and function within the biological classification system, as it primarily includes organisms that do not fit into the characteristics of animals, bacteria, or protists. Understanding the role of fungi in ecosystems is vital for appreciating biodiversity and ecological interactions.