Free Kingdom Fungi MCQs with Answers

111. All of the following are different modes of nutrition in fungi except:

• A. Parasitic
• B. Saprophytic
• C. Symbiosis
• D. Autotrophic

Explanation: The correct answer is Option D: Autotrophic. Fungi are heterotrophic organisms, meaning they obtain nutrients by absorbing them from other sources. They cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis as they lack chlorophyll. The other options are valid modes of nutrition in fungi: Parasitic fungi feed on living hosts, Saprophytic fungi decompose dead organic material, and Symbiosis involves mutually beneficial relationships with other organisms. Therefore, autotrophic is the only mode of nutrition not applicable to fungi.

112. Which statement about fungal nutrition is not true?

• A. Some fungi are active predators
• B. Some fungi are mutualists
• C. Facultative parasitic fungi are host specific
• D. All fungi require mineral nutrients

Explanation: The correct answer is Option C: Facultative parasitic fungi are host specific. This statement is not true because facultative parasitic fungi can survive and reproduce on multiple hosts or substrates, not limited to a specific one. In contrast, obligate parasites are often host specific, requiring a specific host to complete their life cycle. Let's examine why the other options are true:Option A: Some fungi are indeed active predators, utilizing mechanisms like constricting rings to capture prey such as nematodes.Option B: Many fungi engage in mutualistic relationships, such as lichens (a symbiosis between fungi and algae) and mycorrhizal associations with plant roots, providing mutual benefits.Option D: All fungi require mineral nutrients, as they are essential for growth and metabolic processes, similar to all living organisms.

113. Haustoria are associated with which one of the organism having group:

• A. Fungi
• B. Bryophytes
• C. Angiosperms
• D. Algae

Explanation: The correct answer is Fungi. Haustoria are specialized structures used by parasitic fungi to invade host tissues and extract nutrients, a characteristic not found in bryophytes, angiosperms, or algae. Bryophytes, such as mosses, absorb nutrients through their surfaces without specialized structures. Angiosperms include flowering plants, some of which may have parasitic adaptations, but the term 'haustoria' is more typically associated with fungi. Algae are primarily photosynthetic and do not form haustoria.

114. The absorptive nutrition of fungi is aided by:

• A. Spore formation
• B. They form fruiting bodies
• C. They are all parasites
• D. Their large surface area-volume ratio

Explanation: The correct answer is Option D: Their large surface area-volume ratio. Fungi absorb nutrients through their extensive network of hyphae, which have a high surface area-to-volume ratio, allowing for efficient absorption of nutrients from the environment. This characteristic is crucial for their absorptive mode of nutrition.Option A is incorrect because spore formation is related to reproduction rather than nutrition. Option B is incorrect because fruiting bodies are involved in reproduction, not nutrient absorption. Option C is incorrect because not all fungi are parasitic; many absorb nutrients from dead organic matter or form mutualistic relationships with other organisms.

115. The visible part of lichen mostly consists of:

• A. Algal partner
• B. Fungal partner
• C. Epidermis
• D. Cuticle

Explanation: Lichens are symbiotic associations between fungi and photosynthetic organisms, usually algae or cyanobacteria. The fungal partner (mycobiont) forms the majority of the lichen's structure, creating a protective environment for the algal partner (photobiont) and absorbing nutrients and moisture. This symbiotic relationship allows lichens to thrive in diverse and often harsh environments. The options 'Epidermis' and 'Cuticle' are unrelated to lichen structure, as they pertain to plant and animal biology.

116. One of the following structures is having green algae component:

• A. Soredia
• B. Spore
• C. Conidia
• D. Ascospore

Explanation: The correct answer is Soredia. Soredia are specialized structures in lichens, which are symbiotic partnerships between fungi and photosynthetic partners, typically green algae or cyanobacteria. This symbiosis allows lichens to thrive in a wide range of environments by combining the photosynthetic ability of algae with the structural support of fungi.Other options such as spore, conidia, and ascospore are purely fungal structures without any algal component. Spores and conidia are involved in fungal reproduction, while ascospores are formed during the sexual reproduction of Ascomycota fungi.

117. Which one of the following is considered the bioindicators of the environment?

• A. Algae
• B. Lichens
• C. Fungi
• D. Bacteria

Explanation: Lichens are a symbiotic association between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. They are highly sensitive to changes in air quality, particularly to levels of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants. This sensitivity makes them excellent bioindicators of air pollution and environmental health. Algae, fungi, and bacteria have roles in ecosystems and can indicate certain environmental conditions, but they are not as widely used as lichens for indicating air quality on a broad scale.

118. In about 20 out of 15000 species of lichens, the fungal partner is:

• A. Ascomycetes
• B. Zygomycetes
• C. Basidiomycetes
• D. Imperfect fungi

Explanation: In lichens, the fungal partner is usually an Ascomycete, which forms a symbiotic relationship with an algal or cyanobacterial partner. Although Basidiomycetes can also form lichens, this is much less common. Zygomycetes and imperfect fungi are not typically involved in lichen formation, with Ascomycetes being the dominant group in the vast majority of lichen species.

119. About how much of all kinds of vascular plants exhibit mutualistic association between their roots and certain fungi?

• A. 5%
• B. 100%
• C. 95%
• D. A few

Explanation: The correct answer is 95%. Most vascular plants, about 95%, exhibit a mutualistic association with fungi known as mycorrhizae. This relationship is crucial for the plant's nutrient absorption, particularly for phosphorus. Option A (5%) and Option D (A few) greatly underestimate this relationship, while Option B (100%) overstates it, as not all plant species engage in such associations.

120. Which is not true for mycorrhizae?

• A. Help in absorption of mineral nutrients
• B. Fungal hyphae penetrate and branch out in root cells
• C. Mostly found in non-vascular plants
• D. Plants show better growth

Explanation: The correct answer is Option C: 'Mostly found in non-vascular plants.' Mycorrhizae are primarily associated with vascular plants, such as angiosperms and gymnosperms, enhancing their nutrient and water absorption capabilities. Non-vascular plants, like mosses and liverworts, rarely form mycorrhizal associations. Option A is true as mycorrhizae enhance nutrient uptake. Option B is true for arbuscular mycorrhizae, where fungi penetrate root cells. Option D is true as mycorrhizal associations typically lead to better plant growth.