Microscopic, branched and thread-like structures, which can grow and a

Microscopic, branched and thread-like structures, which can grow and absorb nutrition from organic matter, are found in

bacteria
viruses
fungi
algae
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
The correct answer is fungi.
Fungi are characterized by their vegetative structure, which consists of microscopic, branched, thread-like filaments called hyphae. These hyphae grow through organic matter and absorb nutrients, as fungi are heterotrophic organisms.
Bacteria are unicellular and lack hyphae. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and do not grow or absorb nutrition in this manner. Algae are photosynthetic organisms and their structure is typically different from the filamentous hyphae found in fungi, though some algae can be filamentous.