Which organism is characterized as lacking chlorophyll?

Fungi are organisms that lack chlorophyll, which means they do not have the green pigment necessary for photosynthesis. Instead of producing their own food through photosynthesis like plants, fungi obtain nutrients by absorbing organic matter from their environment, often decomposing dead organisms or establishing relationships with living hosts. This significant trait differentiates them from plants and other photosynthetic organisms.

While other groups such as bacteria and protozoa can also lack chlorophyll, fungi are distinctly categorized under a unique kingdom due to their specific structure, reproductive methods, and ecological roles. Viruses, on the other hand, aren't classified as living organisms and do not carry out metabolism, making them fundamentally different from fungi.