The green slimy matter that is found in an aquarium, pond or swimming pool is algae; so is seaweed. An alga is a plant that produces its own food via photosynthesis, using light energy and the minerals they get from the water surrounding them. Some algae (i.e. seaweeds) are edible, but some are poisonous.

Fungi, like mushrooms found in a forest, can grow on land, but can also thrive under water and in deep sea sediments. There are some fungi that are edible, such as Portobello mushrooms. Blue cheese is also derived from a fungus. However, fungi are often poisonous.

Algae:

1. Part of the plants kingdom (see tree of life diagram below)

2. Cells contain chloroplasts, so they are green in color.

3. Autotrophic (capable of synthesizing its own food from inorganic substances, using light or chemical energy). They are not parasitic.

4. Cells are uninucleated (i.e. a single nucleus in each cell).

5. The reserve food is starch.

6. Cell wall is made up of cellulose.

7. Found in water (e.g. in pond) or on moist land or rock.

Fungi:

1. Part of the fungi kingdom (see tree of life diagram below)

2. Cells do not contain chloroplasts, so they are not green.

3. These are heterotrophic (not capable of manufacturing food by inorganic sources, so must consume organic substrates for sustenance) and parasitic.

4. Cells or hypha is uninucleated, binucleated or coenocytic (a multinucleated cell which can result from multiple nuclear divisions without their accompanying cell division).

5. The reserve food is glycogen.

6. Cell wall is made up of chitin.

7. Found on land (e.g. in forest) and in water.