Which one of the following is a saprophyte?

Saprophytes are organisms that obtain nutrition by decomposing dead and decaying organic matter [2]. Fungi, such as moulds and mushrooms, are primary examples of saprophytic organisms [1]. Rhizopus, commonly known as bread mould, is a fungus that grows on dead organic substrates, making it a saprophyte [1]. In contrast, Cuscuta is a parasitic plant that derives nutrients from a living host [5]. Spirogyra is a green alga that performs photosynthesis, classifying it as an autotroph [3]. Similarly, grass is a vascular plant that uses chlorophyll and sunlight to produce its own food through autotrophic nutrition [4]. Therefore, among the given options, Rhizopus is the only organism that functions as a saprophyte by breaking down complex organic substances into simpler forms [2].

Sources

1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 9: Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape > 2. Fungi: > p. 156
2. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Decomposers or Saprophytes > p. 30
3. [5] https://scert.telangana.gov.in/pdf/publication/ebooks2019/x%20biology%20em.pdf
4. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > 5.2.1 Autotrophic Nutrition > p. 81
5. [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > ECOLOgICAL PrODuCTIvITy. > p. 33