GRE Subject Test: Biology : Understanding Fungal Life Cycle and Reproduction
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Fungi
Fungi can reproduce in all of the following manners except __________.
by sexual spores
by binary fission
by axsexual spores
vegetatively
by binary fission
Binary fission occurs in prokaryotes and is a form of asexual reproduction. Fungi are considered haploid eukaryotes and undergo reproduction through processes like asexual spore release, vegetative reproduction, and sexual spore release. Asexual spores do not have DNA mixing, while sexual spores do have DNA mixing. Vegetative reproduction is when part of the fungus breaks off and forms a new fungus.
Example Question #3 : Fungi
The life cycle of most fungi is best described by which of the following statements?
Fungi are unique and have different mechanisms of reproduction
None of these
Fungi only reproduce sexually
Fungi have both sexual and asexual portions of their life cycle
Fungi only reproduce asexually
Fungi have both sexual and asexual portions of their life cycle
Most fungi have a life cycle that consists of both sexual and asexual periods. Spores can be produced sexually or asexually, depending on the availability of male or female gametes. This has provided an advantage to fungi to be able to spread and propagate in a variety of environments.
Example Question #1 : Fungi
A scientist is interested in genetically engineering a fungus that has a limited reproductive process so that it does not accidentally cross breed with other fungi in the laboratory. Which process should be disrupted to hinder fungal reproduction?
Spore formation
Septa formation
None of these
Nutrient absorption
Mycelium formation
Spore formation
Most fungi reproduce by creating microscopic spores, which are reproductive cells than can be dispersed by wind, water, or animals. Spores can be generated sexually or asexually. If the scientist disrupts spore formation, the fungus will not be able to spread spores to other areas of the laboratory.
Inhibition of spore formation would limit the fungus's ability to reproduce over distance, however fungi have multiple methods of reproduction and would still be able to generate progeny even if spore production is disabled.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Fungal Life Cycle And Reproduction
Which statement is true concerning spores?
Neither fungal spores nor bacterial endospores are reproductive structures
Fungal spores are reproductive structures, while bacterial endospores are not
Bacterial endospores are reproductive structures, while fungal spores are not
Fungi cannot produce spores
Both fungal spores and bacterial endospores are reproductive structures
Fungal spores are reproductive structures, while bacterial endospores are not
Fungal spores are reproductive structures produced by fruiting bodies. They are usually asexual, and are often produced in huge numbers, however, fungal spores can also be sexual. In contrast, bacterial endospores are non-reproductive survival structures that certain bacteria can adopt in order to survive through difficult times.
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