Protista is a kingdom of unicellular eukaryotes such as unicellular algae, fungi and protozoans. They can be both heterotrophic and autotrophic. The movement is often by flagella or cilia. They have mitochondria for cellular respiration and some have chloroplasts for the photosynthesis process.

Eukaryotes are multicellular. They have a true nucleus and membrane-bounded organelles. In eukaryotic cells, the genetic material is separated from the cytoplasm by a nuclear envelope of two membranes.

The Fungi are eukaryotic, unicellular or multicellular organisms, achlorophyllous, heterotrophic, spore-producing, having chitin in their cell wall and glycogen as reserve food. They lack chlorophyll and hence cannot perform photosynthesis.

The mass of intermeshed hyphae i.e., thread-like structures that permeate the soil, rotting wood, or other substrate and that constitute the 'body' of fungus. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are found in and on soil and many other substrates.