What are fungi characterized by?

Fungi are distinguished by several key characteristics, one of which is their ability to form resistant survival stages. These survival structures, such as spores or sclerotia, enable fungi to endure adverse environmental conditions, such as drought or extreme temperatures, and facilitate their persistence in the environment until favorable conditions return for growth and reproduction. This characteristic is particularly important for plant pathogens, as it allows them to remain viable and infect hosts when conditions are not conducive to their development.

The other options provided do not accurately reflect the nature of fungi. For instance, fungi do not perform photosynthesis as they lack chlorophyll; they obtain nutrients through absorption, typically by breaking down organic matter. While fungi can reproduce both sexually and asexually, they are not limited to only sexual reproduction, as many fungi can reproduce via budding, fragmentation, or spore formation. Additionally, moisture is generally required for fungal infections, as water facilitates the germination of spores and the spread of mycelium, which are crucial for successful colonization and infection of host plants.