Fungus-like protists are unlike true fungi because they do not contain which component?

• A. Cell wall of chitin
• B. Chloroplasts
• C. Mitochondria
• D. Nucleus

Answer: (A)

Fungi are known for their cell walls made of chitin, a tough polymer that provides strength and rigidity. Fungus-like protists, while they can resemble fungi in lifestyle, do not have chitin in their cell walls. Instead, their walls are often made of cellulose or other substances, or are even absent in some life stages. Because chitin is a distinctive hallmark of true fungi, its absence in fungus-like protists is what sets the two groups apart.

Mitochondria and a nucleus are present in both groups, so they don’t serve as reliable distinguishing features. Chloroplasts are variable among fungus-like protists and are not a universal trait, so they aren’t the consistent basis for differentiation.