Final answer:
'Fungi cannot cure diseases' Fungi are decomposers and heterotrophs that can reproduce by producing spores; however, they also produce antibiotics like penicillin, which can cure diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked which characteristic is not true about fungi. The answer is that the statement 'Fungi cannot cure diseases' does not correctly describe a characteristic of fungi. While many fungi are decomposers and they are indeed heterotrophs, which cannot make their own food and must obtain nutrients from outside sources, they also play a medicinal role in human health. Fungi can produce antibiotics, such as penicillin from the fungus Penicillium, which is used to cure diseases. Therefore, while fungi are responsible for some human diseases, they can also provide cures. Fungi reproduce by producing spores, which can be disseminated by the wind, contributing to their ability to spread and decompose organic material.