Use the paragraph to answer the question.
About 1.5 million species of fungi exist on Earth. They act as nature’s decomposers. These organisms break down matter and release enzymes and acids that unlock nutrients for plants and soil organisms. You may be familiar with macrofungi, a type of fungus that includes mushrooms. But for the most part, fungi exist as mycelia, tiny threads that snake underground in billions of interconnected threads. They twist and twine with tree root systems, helping tress obtain crucial nutrients. Mycologists call these networks of mycelia "Earth’s nervous system."
Which statement best identifies the central idea of the paragraph?
(1 point)
Responses
Earth's many species of fungi act as decomposers of matter.
Earth's many species of fungi act as decomposers of matter.
The type of fungus called macrofungi includes mushrooms.
The type of fungus called macrofungi includes mushrooms.
Fungi bring nutrients to tree root systems when they twine with them underground.
Fungi bring nutrients to tree root systems when they twine with them underground.
Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.
Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.
Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.
The statement that best identifies the central idea of the paragraph is: Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.
To arrive at this answer, we can examine the main points mentioned in the paragraph. It begins by stating that about 1.5 million species of fungi exist on Earth, and that they act as nature’s decomposers, breaking down matter and releasing nutrients. It then mentions macrofungi, a specific type of fungus that includes mushrooms, but points out that fungi mostly exist as mycelia, tiny threads that snake underground. These mycelia form interconnected networks with tree root systems, helping the trees obtain crucial nutrients. The paragraph concludes by referring to these mycelia networks as "Earth’s nervous system." Based on the information provided, the central idea of the paragraph is that fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.