Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of helminths?

The correct answer is that members of the Kingdom Fungi are not characterized as helminths. Helminths are worm-like parasites belonging to the kingdom Animalia, specifically in invertebrate phyla such as Platyhelminthes (flatworms) and Nematoda (roundworms). They are distinctly different from fungi, which form their own kingdom due to significant differences in their cellular structure, reproduction, and nutritional methods.

Helminths are multicellular organisms, meaning they are composed of many cells, which distinguishes them from many microscopic organisms. They are often visible to the naked eye, especially adult forms, as they can grow quite large compared to other microorganisms. Additionally, the life cycles of helminths frequently involve one or more intermediate hosts, where they can develop into different life stages before infecting a definitive host.

Therefore, identifying helminths as members of the Kingdom Fungi is incorrect and highlights the fundamental differences between these groups.