Saprophytes are the organisms that obtain nutrients directly from the dead matter, especially fungi.
Myco-heterotrophs are plants, fungi, or micro-organisms that live on dead or decomposing matter and parasitize fungi, rather than dead organic matter directly.
A parasite is an organism which lives in or on a host organism and gets its food from or at the cost of its host life. The three main classes of parasites which can induce disease in humans include protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.
Lichens are complex life forms which are a symbiotic relationship between two separate organisms, an alga, and a fungus. The fungus is dominant, which gives the majority of its characteristics to the other partner, from its thallus shape to its fruiting bodies.
Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic relationship between a plant and a fungus. The term mycorrhiza refers to the function of the fungus in the plant's root system or rhizosphere.