Within the plant kingdom, which group consists of non green heterotrophic organisms that obtain food from other sources?

Introduction / Context:
Most plants are green and carry out photosynthesis, making their own food. However, there is a group of organisms traditionally studied in botany that are non green and heterotrophic, meaning they must obtain nutrients from other sources. This question checks whether you can identify fungi as such organisms.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Heterotrophic organisms cannot make their own food by photosynthesis.
• Non green organisms lack chlorophyll.
• The options include algae, ferns, mosses and fungi.

Concept / Approach:
Algae, ferns and mosses are green plants that contain chlorophyll and can photosynthesise, at least in their dominant life stages. Fungi, on the other hand, do not have chlorophyll, cannot photosynthesise and must obtain nutrients from dead organic matter, living hosts or symbiotic partners. Although modern classification places fungi in their own kingdom separate from plants, many basic biology texts still mention them together with plant groups for historical reasons.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is asking for non green heterotrophic organisms. Step 2: Recall that algae, mosses and ferns are generally green and photosynthetic. Step 3: Consider fungi such as mushrooms, moulds and yeasts, which do not have chlorophyll. Step 4: Note that fungi obtain food by absorbing nutrients from organic material, not by making their own food. Step 5: Choose fungi as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard botany references describe fungi as saprophytic or parasitic organisms that absorb dissolved nutrients. They form structures called hyphae and mycelia rather than typical plant leaves and stems. Experiments show that fungi do not perform photosynthesis and do not contain chlorophyll pigments. Algae, mosses and ferns all show green tissues and can produce their own food using light energy, distinguishing them from fungi.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a, algae, includes many photosynthetic organisms that are important producers in aquatic ecosystems.

Option b, ferns, are vascular plants with green fronds that carry out photosynthesis.

Option c, mosses, are small non vascular plants that are also green and photosynthetic.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes place fungi inside the plant kingdom without noticing the key differences in nutrition and cell structure. Another pitfall is to assume that any non flowering organism is similar, but algae, mosses, ferns and fungi have very different life cycles and modes of nutrition. Focusing on the presence or absence of chlorophyll and method of obtaining food helps in correct classification.

Final Answer:
The group of non green heterotrophic organisms described in the question is Fungi.