Chapter 29, Problem 1TYU

Summary Introduction

Introduction: Fungi are heterotrophic organisms that can reproduce by spore formation. They take their nutrition by absorbing nutrients from their atmosphere. They are hypothesized to be evolved from flagellated protists and then diverged from each other during evolution. They are of immense economic importance to humans.

Answer to Problem 1TYU

Correct answer: Fungi come under the clade opisthokonts that comes under the super group unikonts. Hence, the correct answer is option (a).

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct answer:

Opisthokonts are eukaryotes that include fungi as well as animals. Evidence such as movement using a single flagellum that is posterior in position and presence of plate-like cristae in the mitochondria verifies the hypothesis that put forward by systematists. In this hypothesis, systematists categorize fungi into opisthokonts.

Option (a) is given as “fungi are eukaryotes and opisthokonts”.

Fungi are categorized as eukaryotes and opisthokonts. Hence, the correct answer is option (a).

Reasons for incorrect answers:

Option (b) is given as, “fungi are prokaryotes and opisthokonts”.

Fungi are not prokaryotic organisms. Hence, option (b) is incorrect.

Option (c) is given as, “fungi are flagellate and dikaryotic”.

During sexual reproduction in fungi karyogamy takes place to form the new zygote. Thus, they do not remain dikaryotic. Hence, option (c) is incorrect.

Option (d) is given as, “fungi are autotrophic eukaryotes”.

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms but they are not autotrophic. They depend on other organisms for food. Hence, option (d) is incorrect.

Option (e) is given as, “fungi are heterotrophs with cellulose cell walls”.

Fungi are heterotrophic but their cell wall contains chitin and not cellulose. Hence, option (e) is incorrect.

Hence, the options (b), (c), (d), and option (e) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that are more closely related to animals compared to plants and are placed in opisthokonts category.