What are the two major groups of fungi?

The classification of fungi into two major groups, molds and yeasts, is grounded in their structural and functional characteristics. Molds are filamentous fungi that grow in the form of multicellular structures called hyphae, which can form a mycelium, allowing them to rapidly absorb nutrients from their environment. They typically reproduce asexually through spores.

In contrast, yeasts are unicellular fungi that reproduce mainly by budding or fission, and they are often involved in fermentation processes, such as in the production of beer and bread. These fundamental differences between molds and yeasts highlight their distinct roles in ecosystems and industries.

The other groups mentioned in the choices—bacteria and viruses, algae and protozoa, as well as fungi and lichens—do not effectively categorize fungi themselves. Bacteria and viruses are entirely different organisms, typically classified under the domains of prokaryotes and other non-cellular entities, while algae and protozoa pertain to different groups in the kingdom Protista. Fungi and lichens represent a broader and less directly comparative classification since lichens are symbiotic associations involving fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. Thus, molds and yeasts represent the most significant and relevant categorization of fungi, illustrating