Which of the Following Features Differentiates Fungal Cells from Human

Question

Which of the following features differentiates fungal cells from human cells?
A) 80S ribosomes
B) Presence of an endoplasmic reticulum
C) Ergosterol as the major membrane sterol
D) Enzymes that allow them to use carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source
E) Presence of chloroplasts

Accepted Answer

Ergosterol is the major fungus membrane sterol, and its presence is important in chemotherapy of fungal infections. For example, amphotericin B binds to ergosterol, producing pores that leak out cellular contents, killing the fungus. Imidazole drugs inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol. Both fungi and humans have 80S ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum. Fungi are heterotrophic rather than autotrophic and thus cannot use carbon dioxide as their carbon source; instead, fungi break down organic carbon compounds. Fungi are also not photosynthetic.