The structural features of fungi are associated with vital processes and allow them to live in a variety of conditions.

The organisms of the fungal kingdom have the characteristics of both the animal and plant kingdoms. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms, they are formed by cells that are more advanced than prokaryotes because they have a real nucleus. Fungal cell walls are similar to plant walls, but instead of cells, they are composed of chitin. Like animals, fungi are heterotropic because they live off organic matter produced by other organisms to sustain themselves. Fungi do not have chlorophyll, so they cannot photosynthesize or prepare food on their own. Some fungi feed on dead organic matter, turning them into saprophytic organisms. Organisms belonging to the kingdom of fungi are the best processors, they play a very important role in the environment, because they can convert dead substances.

Some of the fungal hyphae penetrate into the substrate and form a vegetative mycelium. Those that come to the surface form an aerial mycelium, which can have a fluffy appearance. In microbiology, this conglomerate visible on the culture medium is called a colony.