Toadstools cannot manufacture their food because they

Options

A. Possess haustoria
B. Lack chlorophyll
C. Live in dark places
D. Do not have leaves.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Toadstools**: Toadstools are a type of fungus, often referred to as mushrooms, and are known for being inedible or poisonous.

2. **Photosynthesis in Plants**: Most plants can manufacture their own food through a process called photosynthesis, which requires chlorophyll, a green pigment found in plant leaves.

3. **Chlorophyll and Fungi**: Unlike plants, fungi, including toadstools, do not have chlorophyll. This lack of chlorophyll means they cannot perform photosynthesis and thus cannot produce their own food.

4. **Nutritional Mode of Toadstools**: Toadstools are saprophytic in nature, meaning they obtain their nutrients by decomposing organic matter, rather than making their own food.

5. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Possess Hastoria**: This is incorrect as hastoria are structures that help some fungi absorb nutrients, but it does not relate to their ability to manufacture food.
- **Lack Chlorophyll**: This is the correct answer, as it explains why toadstools cannot manufacture their food.
- **Live in Dark Places**: This is incorrect; fungi can live in various environments, and darkness does not prevent them from obtaining nutrients.
- **Do Not Have Leaves**: This is also incorrect; while fungi do not have leaves, this does not directly explain their inability to produce food.

6. **Conclusion**: The correct answer is that toadstools cannot manufacture their food because they lack chlorophyll.

**Final Answer**: Toadstools cannot manufacture their food because they **lack chlorophyll**.

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