The imperfect fungi which are decomposers of litter and help in mineral cycling belong to [2015]
Phycomycetes
Ascomycetes
Deuteromycetes
Basidiomycetes
(3)
Deuteromycetes are the imperfect fungi which include all those fungi in which sexual stage is either absent or not known. Some members are saprophytes or parasites, while a large number of them are decomposers of litter and help in mineral cycling. E.g., Colletotrichum, Helminthosporium, etc.
Choose the wrong statement. [2015]
Morels and truffles are poisonous mushrooms.
Yeast is unicellular and useful in fermentation.
Penicillium is multicellular and produces antibiotics.
Neurospora is used in the study of biochemical genetics.
(1)
Morels are Ascomycetes with edible ascocarps that have fleshy sponge-like conical cap or pileus and a stalk-like stipe, e.g., Morchella esculenta. Truffles are also edible members of Ascomycetes with tuber-like subterranean ascocarps that are often dug out with the help of trained dogs and pigs, e.g., Tuber aestivum.
Which one of the following matches is correct? [2015]
Mucor - Reproduction by conjugation - Ascomycetes
Agaricus - Parasitic fungus - Basidiomycetes
Phytophthora - Aseptate mycelium - Basidiomycetes
Alternaria - Sexual reproduction absent - Deuteromycetes
(d)
Alternaria is a Deuteromycetes member which are also known as fungi imperfecti. Their perfect stages (sexually reproducing stages) are either absent or not known. Now, Alternaria belongs to Ascomycetes.
Which one of the following fungi contains hallucinogens? [2014]
Morchella esculenta
Amanita muscaria
Neurospora sp.
Ustilago sp.
(2)
Amanita muscaria is a member of Class Basidiomycetes. It is a poisonous mushroom and has hallucinogenic properties. It produces a toxic alkaloid, muscarine, which mimics the effects of acetylcholine and binds to muscarinic receptors as well as ibotenic acid which also binds to different receptors. This leads to excitation of neurons bearing these receptors and hence hallucinations.
