Name the fungus that speeds up the process of fermentation in the production of alcohol.

a) The fungus that speeds up the process of fermentation in the production of alcohol is yeast.

b) Two characteristics of fungi that make them not to be grouped as plants are:

(i) Fungi are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients by absorbing organic compounds from their environment, unlike plants which are autotrophic and produce their own food through photosynthesis.

(ii) Fungi cell walls are made of chitin, whereas plant cell walls are primarily composed of cellulose.