Decaying carrot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a sectioned carrot (Daucus carota) under attack by a fungal parasite. The unidentified fungus (grey, centre right) is destroying the carrot's tissues. The fungal body (mycelium) penetrates living cells and metabolises the compounds within them. Many dead cells with perforated walls can be seen (for example dark brown, centre), killed by the fungus feeding on their contents. Fungi which kill plant cells by their activity are known as necrotrophs. The decomposition process is incomplete: intact carrot cells (light brown) can still be seen. Magnification: x90 at 6x7cm size. x150 at 4x5"~PORTRAIT"