Question 1

Which of the following is an example of a mutualistic association involving a fungus?

Accepted Answer

A) Fungal hyphae penetrate a plant root, then provide the plant with nutrients and receive organic molecules in return. 
B) Fungal spores infect and then eventually kill an insect. 
C) A fungus produces rings that allow it to capture and feed upon nematode worms. 
D) A fungus invades the xylem of a tree and eventually kills it. 
E) A fungus causes athlete's foot in a human. 
A) Fungal hyphae penetrate a plant root, then provide the plant with nutrients and receive organic molecules in return. 
B) Fungal spores infect and then eventually kill an insect. 
C) A fungus produces rings that allow it to capture and feed upon nematode worms. 
D) A fungus invades the xylem of a tree and eventually kills it. 
E) A fungus causes athlete's foot in a human.

Question 2

Which of the compounds found in wood are difficult to degrade (or break apart)?

Accepted Answer

A) cellulose 
B) lignin 
C) starch. 
D) protein 
A) cellulose 
B) lignin 
C) starch. 
D) protein

Question 3

How do endophytes differ from endomycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

A) Endophytes live within leaves, whereas endomycorrhizal fungi live within roots. 
B) Endomycorrhizal fungi are beneficial to the plant, whereas endophytes are harmful. 
C) Endophytes are unicellular, whereas endomycorrhizal fungi are multicellular. 
D) Endophytes help plants absorb nutrients, whereas endomycorrhizal fungi help plants defend against predators and pathogens. 
E) Endophytes penetrate into plant cells, whereas endomycorrhizal fungi live within and between plant cell walls. 
A) Endophytes live within leaves, whereas endomycorrhizal fungi live within roots. 
B) Endomycorrhizal fungi are beneficial to the plant, whereas endophytes are harmful. 
C) Endophytes are unicellular, whereas endomycorrhizal fungi are multicellular. 
D) Endophytes help plants absorb nutrients, whereas endomycorrhizal fungi help plants defend against predators and pathogens. 
E) Endophytes penetrate into plant cells, whereas endomycorrhizal fungi live within and between plant cell walls.

Question 4

Which of the following materials can serve as food sources for fungi?

Accepted Answer

A) elephant dung in the Serengeti 
B) leaf matter in a New England forest 
C) a bear carcass in Siberia 
D) a fallen redwood tree in California 
E) the fruit in your refrigerator 
A) elephant dung in the Serengeti 
B) leaf matter in a New England forest 
C) a bear carcass in Siberia 
D) a fallen redwood tree in California 
E) the fruit in your refrigerator

Question 5

The stage of the fungal life cycle during which two or more genetically distinct nuclei are found in the same cell is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A) the heterokaryotic stage. 
B) the diploid stage. 
C) the zygote stage. 
D) karyogamy. 
E) plasmogamy. 
A) the heterokaryotic stage. 
B) the diploid stage. 
C) the zygote stage. 
D) karyogamy. 
E) plasmogamy.

Question 6

Fungi include:

Accepted Answer

A) yeasts. 
B) decomposers. 
C) pathogens. 
D) smuts. 
E) All of these choices are correct. 
A) yeasts. 
B) decomposers. 
C) pathogens. 
D) smuts. 
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 7

Imagine that you are on a nature walk. Your guide points out a lichen growing on a tree trunk and comments that lichens are actually a type of fungi. You know that this description is not correct. Why?

Accepted Answer

A) Lichens are actually vascular plants that produce hyphae instead of roots. 
B) Lichens are actually composed of both fungi and green algae (or cyanobacteria). 
C) Lichens are actually composed of both fungi and bryophytes. 
D) Lichens are actually bryophytes that produce hyphae instead of roots. 
A) Lichens are actually vascular plants that produce hyphae instead of roots. 
B) Lichens are actually composed of both fungi and green algae (or cyanobacteria). 
C) Lichens are actually composed of both fungi and bryophytes. 
D) Lichens are actually bryophytes that produce hyphae instead of roots.

Question 8

When a fungus encounters a particularly rich food source, what is the expected result?

Accepted Answer

A) Hyphae branch and extend rapidly from their tips to form a mycelium. 
B) Hyphae stop growing in length, but increase in diameter. 
C) Individual hyphae begin to produce spores. 
D) Hyphae stop growing and a fruiting body forms to exploit the food source. 
E) The mycelium breaks down into widely separated hyphae. 
A) Hyphae branch and extend rapidly from their tips to form a mycelium. 
B) Hyphae stop growing in length, but increase in diameter. 
C) Individual hyphae begin to produce spores. 
D) Hyphae stop growing and a fruiting body forms to exploit the food source. 
E) The mycelium breaks down into widely separated hyphae.

Question 9

Formation of a new septum with each mitotic division occurs in:

Accepted Answer

A) ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. 
B) ascomycetes. 
C) basidiomycetes. 
D) glomeromycetes. 
E) ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, and glomeromycetes. 
A) ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. 
B) ascomycetes. 
C) basidiomycetes. 
D) glomeromycetes. 
E) ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, and glomeromycetes.

Question 10

Which of the following groups of fungi are found exclusively in association with plant roots?

Accepted Answer

A) glomeromycetes 
B) chytrids 
C) zygomycetes 
D) basidiomycetes 
E) ascomycetes 
A) glomeromycetes 
B) chytrids 
C) zygomycetes 
D) basidiomycetes 
E) ascomycetes

Question 11

_____ and _____ are structures formed in the fruiting bodies of dikaryotic (n + n) fungi that produce spores.

Accepted Answer

A) Basidia; asci 
B) Basidia; septa 
C) Septa; asci 
D) Basidia; chitins 
E) Chitins; asci 
A) Basidia; asci 
B) Basidia; septa 
C) Septa; asci 
D) Basidia; chitins 
E) Chitins; asci

Question 12

A researcher isolates a species of fungus that only reproduces sexually. He introduces individual hyphaeF1F1F1S1F1F1F10all of the same mating type (e.g., with the same mating-type alleles)F1F1F1S1F1F1F10into a petri dish. What do you expect will happen with the fungi in this dish?

Accepted Answer

A) Fungi in the dish will mate, forming spores by means of sexual reproduction. 
B) Fungi in the dish will not mate, but will form spores by means of asexual reproduction. 
C) No spores will be formed by fungi in the petri dish. 
A) Fungi in the dish will mate, forming spores by means of sexual reproduction. 
B) Fungi in the dish will not mate, but will form spores by means of asexual reproduction. 
C) No spores will be formed by fungi in the petri dish.

Question 13

What is the primary advantage of having multiple mating-type alleles?

Accepted Answer

A) There is an increased probability that two fungi encountering each other will have compatible mating types. 
B) More spores can be produced during sexual reproduction. 
C) More diversity can be achieved through self-fertilization. 
D) There is no need to produce chemical signals to attract a mate. 
E) Fungi can more easily switch between sexual and asexual reproduction. 
A) There is an increased probability that two fungi encountering each other will have compatible mating types. 
B) More spores can be produced during sexual reproduction. 
C) More diversity can be achieved through self-fertilization. 
D) There is no need to produce chemical signals to attract a mate. 
E) Fungi can more easily switch between sexual and asexual reproduction.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about mycorrhizae is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

A) Endomycorrhizal fungi constitute a monophyletic group. 
B) The hyphae of ectomycorrhizal fungi penetrate plant root cells. 
C) Endomycorrhizal fungi provide plant roots with nutrients, whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi do not. 
D) Endomycorrhizal fungi receive carbohydrates from plants, whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi do not. 
E) Endomycorrhizal fungi branch extensively in the soil surrounding plant roots, whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi do not. 
A) Endomycorrhizal fungi constitute a monophyletic group. 
B) The hyphae of ectomycorrhizal fungi penetrate plant root cells. 
C) Endomycorrhizal fungi provide plant roots with nutrients, whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi do not. 
D) Endomycorrhizal fungi receive carbohydrates from plants, whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi do not. 
E) Endomycorrhizal fungi branch extensively in the soil surrounding plant roots, whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi do not.

Question 15

The most species-rich groups of fungi are those with dikaryotic growth forms.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

How does the size of fungal hyphae contribute to their ability to decompose detritus?

Accepted Answer

A) Fungal hyphae have a low ratio of surface area to volume, so they are able to absorb more nutrients. 
B) Fungal hyphae have high ratio of surface area to volume, so they are able to absorb more nutrients. 
C) Fungal hyphae have a low ratio of surface area to volume, so they are able to secrete more digestive enzymes into the surrounding environment to break down detritus. 
D) Fungal hyphae have a high ratio of surface area to volume, so they are able to secrete enzymes into a greater area of soil to break down detritus. 
A) Fungal hyphae have a low ratio of surface area to volume, so they are able to absorb more nutrients. 
B) Fungal hyphae have high ratio of surface area to volume, so they are able to absorb more nutrients. 
C) Fungal hyphae have a low ratio of surface area to volume, so they are able to secrete more digestive enzymes into the surrounding environment to break down detritus. 
D) Fungal hyphae have a high ratio of surface area to volume, so they are able to secrete enzymes into a greater area of soil to break down detritus.

Question 17

The development of septa in the hyphae of fungi was an important evolutionary step. Why?

Accepted Answer

A) If a hypha is damaged, fungi can seal septal pores to prevent the cytoplasm from leaking out. 
B) If a hypha is damaged, septa can secrete chemicals to attract symbiotic cyanobacteria. 
C) Septa can produce fungal spores during both sexual and asexual reproduction. 
D) Septa can produce different fungal mating types that aid in sexual reproduction. 
A) If a hypha is damaged, fungi can seal septal pores to prevent the cytoplasm from leaking out. 
B) If a hypha is damaged, septa can secrete chemicals to attract symbiotic cyanobacteria. 
C) Septa can produce fungal spores during both sexual and asexual reproduction. 
D) Septa can produce different fungal mating types that aid in sexual reproduction.

Question 18

Which of the following BEST describes the role of fungi in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A) decomposers 
B) autotrophs 
C) herbivores 
D) carnivores 
E) producers 
A) decomposers 
B) autotrophs 
C) herbivores 
D) carnivores 
E) producers

Question 19

Fungal cell walls are composed of what material?

Accepted Answer

A) chitin 
B) cellulose 
C) peptidoglycan 
D) lignin 
E) glycogen 
A) chitin 
B) cellulose 
C) peptidoglycan 
D) lignin 
E) glycogen

Question 20

In some of the earliest plant fossils, there is evidence of mycorrhizal associations. Fungi may have been instrumental in plant colonization of land by:

Accepted Answer

A) colonizing areas as lichens and facilitating dispersal by terrestrial plants. 
B) increasing nutrient uptake by early plant species. 
C) increasing levels of organic matter in the soil. 
D) releasing antibiotics to kill bacteria in the soil where plants would colonize. 
A) colonizing areas as lichens and facilitating dispersal by terrestrial plants. 
B) increasing nutrient uptake by early plant species. 
C) increasing levels of organic matter in the soil. 
D) releasing antibiotics to kill bacteria in the soil where plants would colonize.

Exam 34: Fungi: Structure, Function, and Diversity

Which of the following is an example of a mutualistic association involving a fungus?

Which of the compounds found in wood are difficult to degrade (or break apart)?

How do endophytes differ from endomycorrhizal fungi?

Which of the following materials can serve as food sources for fungi?

The stage of the fungal life cycle during which two or more genetically distinct nuclei are found in the same cell is referred to as:

Fungi include:

Imagine that you are on a nature walk. Your guide points out a lichen growing on a tree trunk and comments that lichens are actually a type of fungi. You know that this description is not correct. Why?

When a fungus encounters a particularly rich food source, what is the expected result?

Formation of a new septum with each mitotic division occurs in:

Which of the following groups of fungi are found exclusively in association with plant roots?

_____ and _____ are structures formed in the fruiting bodies of dikaryotic (n + n) fungi that produce spores.

A researcher isolates a species of fungus that only reproduces sexually. He introduces individual hyphaeall of the same mating type (e.g., with the same mating-type alleles)into a petri dish. What do you expect will happen with the fungi in this dish?

What is the primary advantage of having multiple mating-type alleles?

Which of the following statements about mycorrhizae is CORRECT?

The most species-rich groups of fungi are those with dikaryotic growth forms.

How does the size of fungal hyphae contribute to their ability to decompose detritus?

The development of septa in the hyphae of fungi was an important evolutionary step. Why?

Which of the following BEST describes the role of fungi in an ecosystem?

Fungal cell walls are composed of what material?

In some of the earliest plant fossils, there is evidence of mycorrhizal associations. Fungi may have been instrumental in plant colonization of land by:

Life: Chemical, Cellular, and Evolutionary Foundations

The Molecules of Life

Nucleic Acids and Transcription

Translation and Protein Structure

Organizing Principles: Lipids, Membranes, and Cell Compartments

Making Life Work: Capturing and Using Energy

Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Energy From Carbohydrates and Other Fuel Molecules

Photosynthesis: Using Sunlight to Build Carbohydrates

Cell Signaling

Cell and Tissue Architecture: Cytoskeleton, Cell Junctions, and Extracellular Matrix

Cell Division: Variations, Regulation, and Cancer

Dna Replication and Manipulation

Genomes

Mutation and Dna Repair

Genetic Variation

Mendelian Inheritance

Inheritance of Sex Chromosomes, Linked Genes, and Organelles

The Genetic and Environmental Basis of Complex Traits

Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation

Genes and Development

Evolution: How Genotypes and Phenotypes Change Over Time

Species and Speciation

Evolutionary Patterns: Phylogeny and Fossils

Human Origins and Evolution

Cycling Carbon

Bacteria and Archaea

Eukaryotic Cells: Origins and Diversity

Being Multicellular

Plant Structure and Function: Moving Photosynthesis Onto Land

Plant Reproduction: Finding Mates and Dispersing Young

Plant Growth and Development

Plant Defense: Keeping the World Green

Plant Diversity

Animal Nervous Systems

Animal Sensory Systems and Brain Function

Animal Movement: Muscles and Skeletons

Animal Endocrine Systems

Animal Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Animal Metabolism, Nutrition, and Digestion

Animal Renal Systems: Water and Waste

Animal Reproduction and Development

Animal Immune Systems

Animal Diversity

Animal Behavior

Population Ecology

Species Interactions, Communities, and Ecosystems

Biomes and Global Ecology

The Anthropocene: Humans As a Planetary Force

Filters

_ and _ are structures formed in the fruiting bodies of dikaryotic (n + n) fungi that produce spores.