Use the paragraph to answer the question.

About 1.5 million species of fungi exist on Earth. They act as nature’s decomposers. These organisms break down matter and release enzymes and acids that unlock nutrients for plants and soil organisms. You may be familiar with macrofungi, a type of fungus that includes mushrooms. But for the most part, fungi exist as mycelia, tiny threads that snake underground in billions of interconnected threads. They twist and twine with tree root systems, helping tress obtain crucial nutrients. Mycologists call these networks of mycelia "Earth’s nervous system."

Which statement best identifies the central idea of the paragraph?

(1 point)
Responses

Fungi bring nutrients to tree root systems when they twine with them underground.
Fungi bring nutrients to tree root systems when they twine with them underground.

The type of fungus called macrofungi includes mushrooms.
The type of fungus called macrofungi includes mushrooms.

Earth's many species of fungi act as decomposers of matter.
Earth's many species of fungi act as decomposers of matter.

Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.

Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.

Fungi exist as a web of threads connected underground.

The central idea of the paragraph is: Earth's many species of fungi act as decomposers of matter. This is evident from the statement that fungi break down matter and release enzymes and acids that unlock nutrients for plants and soil organisms. Additionally, the paragraph also mentions that fungi exist as mycelia, which are tiny threads that snake underground and help trees obtain crucial nutrients, highlighting their role in decomposing matter and releasing nutrients.