What are microscopic plant parasites, including molds and yeasts, classified as?

Microscopic plant parasites, such as molds and yeasts, are classified as fungi because they share specific characteristics that distinguish them from other microorganisms. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms, meaning they have complex cells with a nucleus, and they often exist as multicellular structures (like molds) or unicellular organisms (like yeasts).

Fungi play vital roles in ecosystems, including decomposing organic matter and engaging in symbiotic relationships with plants, which can be beneficial or harmful. Unlike bacteria, which are prokaryotic and do not have a nucleus, fungi possess a more complex cellular structure. Viruses, on the other hand, are entirely different as they cannot reproduce or carry out metabolic processes on their own; they must infect a host cell. Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotes that typically do not include molds or yeasts but are classified under a different category of microorganisms.