[The fungi kingdom: heterogeneity of physiological-biochemical properties and closeness to plants, animals, and prokaryotes].

This review analyzes the current taxonomy of fungi whose criteria are based on a range of episemantic molecules. In this context, data on the chemical composition of fungal cells (membrane lipids, cytosolic carbohydrates, etc.) are considered in comparison with their counterparts found in higher eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Modern theories explaining the origin of fungi and their similarity to plants, animals, and bacteria are discussed. The biochemical criteria used in this work supported the division of fungi into Eumycota and Neomycota. The latter division, especially Basidiomycota, are more closely related to plants. The heterogeneity of the kingdom Fungi is underlined, the existence of Oomycota as a separate entity is supported, and the theory of the primitive nature of fungal cells is criticized from the viewpoint of biochemical adaptation.