Question

How do fungi change complex food?

Answer 1

Fungi are equipped to secrete enzymes for extracorporeal digestion of food. (Extracorporeal digestion means food getting digested outside the body.)

Explanation:

Fungal organisms secrete enzymes like protease, lipase, pectin lyase, cellulase, etc. These organisms are saprotrophic: releasing digestive enzymes around the body so that organic materials are degraded in simpler substances which could then be absorbed by the fungi.

By secreting digestive enzymes around their environment, fungi help in decomposition of dead organic matter.