MCAT Biology : Fungi
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Fungi
A fungus that always reproduces asexually is most likely classified as __________.
Microsporidia
Zygomycetes
Deuteromycetes
Basidomycetes
Asomycetes
Deuteromycetes
Fungi are typically characterized based on reproductive methods and structures. All fungi can reproduce asexaully, but only deuteromycetes lack a sexual reproduction phase, only reproducing asexually.
Example Question #2 : Understanding Fungal Structures
What characteristic do both all plants and fungi have in common?
They have nothing in common
Both consist of eukaryotic cells
Both use chitin primarily in their cell walls
Both use spores to propagate
Both use photosynthesis for energy production
Both consist of eukaryotic cells
Both plants and fungi consist of eukaryotic cells. Their cells contain membrane-enclosed nuclei and organelles which is a defining characteristic of eukaryotic cells.
Fungi do not photosynthesize. While seedless plants and fungi use spores, this trait is not common to all plants. Plant cell walls are composed of collagen, while fungi use chitin.
Example Question #2 : Fungi
An antifungal cream advertises to chemically attack the fungal cells without harming the skin. The antifungal chemical most likely acts on which of the following?
Chitin
The nucleus
There is not enough information provided
Eukaryotic membranes
Mitochondria
Chitin
The antifungal compound is likely specific to chitin, as it is a common material of many fungi cell wall structures. Chitin is resistant to breakdown, and is actually found in insect exoskeletons. The incorrect answers are found in skin cells as well as fungal cells, and would harm the skin if the chemical attacked these structures.
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 #4 : Understanding Fungal Structures
Fungal hyphae form a mesh of tissue that infiltrates food sources and absorbs nutrients. This tissue structure is called __________.
Fungal roots
None of these
Zygospores
Mycelium
Gametangia
Mycelium
Congregation of hyphae form mycelium, the tissue that allows fungi to absorb nutrients from surrounding food sources. Often, the majority of mycelium mass is not visible to the observer. "Fungal roots" is a misleading answer, even though mycelium looks similar to root structures of plants. Gametangia is where gametes are produced in the fungus.
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.
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