Questions on Kingdom Fungi – Structure, Reproduction, Evolution, Classification

Questions on Fungi – Structure, Reproduction, Evolution, Classification

 Multiple-Choice Questions: Fungi – Structure, Reproduction, Evolution, Classification

1. Which of the following is a defining feature of fungi?

A) Photosynthesis

B) Cell walls made of cellulose

C) Heterotrophic by absorption

D) Prokaryotic cell structure

E) Chloroplasts

Ads

2. Fungal cell walls are composed primarily of:

A) Cellulose

B) Pectin

C) Chitin

D) Lignin

E) Keratin

3. The thread-like structures that make up the body of a fungus are called:

A) Rhizoids

B) Spores

C) Mycelia

D) Hyphae

E) Filaments

4. The entire network of hyphae that forms the body of a fungus is called:

A) Sporocarp

B) Rhizome

C) Mycelium

D) Fruiting body

E) Haustorium

5. Fungi reproduce asexually by producing:

A) Cones

B) Seeds

C) Spores

D) Embryos

E) Capsules

6. Sexual reproduction in fungi typically involves:

A) Cloning

B) Spore germination only

C) Fusion of hyphae and nuclei

D) Budding

E) Vegetative propagation

7. Which of the following is a reproductive structure in fungi?

A) Rhizoid

B) Sporangium

C) Vacuole

D) Lichen

E) Mitochondrion

8. Budding is a type of asexual reproduction found in:

A) Molds

B) Mushrooms

C) Yeasts

D) Basidiomycetes

E) Zygomycetes

9. The fungal group that includes bread mold (Rhizopus) is:

A) Basidiomycota

B) Ascomycota

C) Chytridiomycota

D) Zygomycota

E) Deuteromycota

10. The club fungi, including mushrooms and puffballs, belong to:

A) Ascomycota

B) Zygomycota

C) Basidiomycota

D) Myxomycota

E) Oomycota

11. Which fungal group includes Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast)?

A) Zygomycota

B) Basidiomycota

C) Chytridiomycota

D) Ascomycota

E) Glomeromycota

12. The cup fungi and morels are part of:

A) Ascomycota

B) Basidiomycota

C) Zygomycota

D) Deuteromycota

E) Chytridiomycota

13. Chytridiomycota are unique among fungi because they:

A) Lack nuclei

B) Have no cell walls

C) Produce flagellated spores

D) Are always parasitic

E) Are photosynthetic

14. Fungi evolved from:

A) Animals

B) Algae

C) Bacteria

D) Protist ancestors

E) Ferns

15. The symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots is called:

A) Lichen

B) Mycorrhiza

C) Haustoria

D) Endosymbiosis

E) Coevolution

16. Lichens are composed of a symbiotic relationship between fungi and:

A) Plants

B) Bacteria

C) Algae or cyanobacteria

D) Protists

E) Viruses

17. Which structure is responsible for the dispersal of fungal spores?

A) Gills

B) Root hairs

C) Cotyledons

D) Thalli

E) Anthers

18. A dikaryotic stage in fungi means:

A) Two cells joined

B) Two nuclei in one cell

C) Two types of spores

D) Two mycelia combined

E) Two fruiting bodies

19. What is the term for fungi that obtain nutrients from decaying organic matter?

A) Autotrophs

B) Saprotrophs

C) Parasites

D) Mutualists

E) Pathogens

20. Which of the following is NOT a mode of fungal reproduction?

A) Binary fission

B) Budding

C) Fragmentation

D) Spore formation

E) Sexual reproduction

21. The "fruiting body" of a mushroom is technically called a:

A) Mycelium

B) Basidium

C) Sporocarp

D) Ascospore

E) Zygospore

22. Which phylum includes fungi that reproduce via basidia?

A) Ascomycota

B) Basidiomycota

C) Chytridiomycota

D) Zygomycota

E) Deuteromycota

23. The fungi imperfecti (Deuteromycota) are classified based on:

A) Spore shape

B) Flagella type

C) Absence of sexual reproduction

D) Chitin concentration

E) Type of gills

24. Penicillin is produced by a fungus belonging to:

A) Basidiomycota

B) Zygomycota

C) Ascomycota

D) Deuteromycota

E) Chytridiomycota

25. Which structure forms after plasmogamy but before karyogamy?

A) Spore

B) Zygote

C) Dikaryotic hypha

D) Mycelium

E) Basidiospore

26. A sporangium is a structure where:

A) Digestion occurs

B) Photosynthesis takes place

C) Spores are produced

D) Hyphae fuse

E) Gills form

27. How do fungi absorb nutrients?

A) Phagocytosis

B) Osmosis

C) Ingestion

D) External digestion and absorption

E) Active transport only

28. Which fungal group forms arbuscular mycorrhizae?

A) Basidiomycota

B) Zygomycota

C) Glomeromycota

D) Ascomycota

E) Chytridiomycota

29. Which fungal structure is diploid?

A) Spore

B) Zygote

C) Hypha

D) Mycelium

E) Conidium

30. Which of the following is a true statement about fungi?

A) They are autotrophic

B) They store energy as glycogen

C) They have chloroplasts

D) They reproduce only sexually

E) They are prokaryotic

 Answer Key with Explanations

    1. C – Fungi are heterotrophic by absorption.

    2. C – Fungal cell walls contain chitin.

    3. D – Hyphae are the basic structural units.

    4. C – A mycelium is a network of hyphae.

    5. C – Asexual reproduction involves spores.

    6. C – Sexual reproduction includes fusion of hyphae and nuclei.

    7. B – Sporangia produce spores.

    8. C – Yeasts reproduce by budding.

    9. D – Rhizopus is in Zygomycota.

    10. C – Basidiomycota includes mushrooms.

    11. D – Yeasts like Saccharomyces are Ascomycetes.

    12. A – Cup fungi are Ascomycetes.

    13. C – Chytrids produce flagellated spores.

    14. D – Fungi evolved from protists.

    15. B – Mycorrhiza is a mutualism with plant roots.

    16. C – Lichens involve fungi and algae/cyanobacteria.

    17. A – Gills release spores.

    18. B – Dikaryotic cells have two nuclei.

    19. B – Saprotrophs decompose dead matter.

    20. A – Binary fission is typical of bacteria, not fungi.

    21. C – The fruiting body is a sporocarp.

    22. B – Basidia produce basidiospores in Basidiomycota.

    23. C – Deuteromycota lack known sexual reproduction.

    24. C – Penicillin is made by Penicillium, an Ascomycete.

    25. C – A dikaryotic hypha forms after plasmogamy.

    26. C – Sporangia produce spores.

    27. D – Fungi secrete enzymes and absorb nutrients externally.

    28. C – Glomeromycota form arbuscular mycorrhizae.

    29. B – The zygote is the only diploid stage.

    30. B – Fungi store energy as glycogen, like animals.

 

 Multiple-Choice Questions: Fungi – Nutrition and Symbiosis

1. Fungi obtain their nutrients by:

A) Ingesting solid food

B) Photosynthesis

C) Absorbing dissolved nutrients after external digestion

D) Symbiosis with viruses

E) Phagocytosis

2. Which term best describes fungi that feed on dead organic matter?

A) Parasites

B) Autotrophs

C) Saprotrophs

D) Symbionts

E) Commensals

3. What is the primary way fungi digest their food?

A) Internally, using a stomach-like structure

B) Externally, by secreting enzymes

C) Through photosynthetic pigments

D) Through phagocytosis

E) With cilia-driven ingestion

4. A fungus that feeds on a living host and harms it is called a:

A) Saprophyte

B) Parasite

C) Decomposer

D) Mutualist

E) Consumer

5. In mutualistic relationships, fungi typically provide:

A) Carbon dioxide

B) Water

C) Nutrients or increased absorption capabilities

D) Protection from sunlight

E) Nitrogen fixation

6. The symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots is known as:

A) Lichen

B) Haustorium

C) Mycorrhiza

D) Endosymbiosis

E) Root nodules

7. Mycorrhizae improve plant health primarily by:

A) Producing chlorophyll

B) Fixing nitrogen

C) Enhancing water and mineral absorption

D) Protecting from insects

E) Providing structural support

8. Lichens are an example of a symbiotic relationship between fungi and:

A) Protists

B) Bacteria

C) Algae or cyanobacteria

D) Other fungi

E) Insects

9. In lichens, what is the role of the fungal partner?

A) Photosynthesis

B) Nutrient absorption from soil

C) Providing structure and water retention

D) Nitrogen fixation

E) Parasitizing the algal partner

10. Which of the following is NOT a recognized fungal nutrition mode?

A) Parasitism

B) Mutualism

C) Autotrophy

D) Saprotrophy

E) Symbiosis

11. Fungi that absorb nutrients from decaying material are classified as:

A) Autotrophs

B) Saprotrophs

C) Parasites

D) Carnivores

E) Chemotrophs

12. What structure allows parasitic fungi to penetrate host tissues?

A) Basidia

B) Gills

C) Hyphae

D) Haustoria

E) Mycelia

13. In ectomycorrhizae, the fungal hyphae:

A) Enter root cells directly

B) Surround but do not penetrate root cells

C) Do not associate with roots

D) Form lichens

E) Digest chloroplasts

14. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are mainly associated with which plant group?

A) Mosses

B) Ferns

C) Flowering plants

D) Gymnosperms

E) Algae

15. How do mycorrhizal fungi benefit from the plant in the relationship?

A) They absorb minerals

B) They receive water

C) They get oxygen

D) They receive organic compounds like sugars

E) They obtain nitrogen

16. A commensal relationship between fungi and another organism implies that:

A) Both benefit equally

B) One benefits, the other is harmed

C) One benefits, the other is unaffected

D) Both are harmed

E) The fungus is parasitic

17. Endomycorrhizae are characterized by fungal hyphae:

A) Remaining in the soil

B) Only surrounding the plant roots

C) Entering into plant root cells

D) Replacing plant cells

E) Attaching to leaf surfaces

18. Which of the following types of fungi form mutualistic relationships with termites?

A) Yeasts

B) Basidiomycetes

C) Mycorrhizal fungi

D) Lichen-forming fungi

E) Saprotrophic fungi

19. In a parasitic fungal relationship, the host organism is:

A) Unaffected

B) Benefited

C) Harmed

D) Eaten alive

E) Replaced

20. Which statement best describes a mutualistic fungal interaction?

A) Fungus digests the host for energy

B) Fungus and partner both benefit from the association

C) Fungus causes disease in the host

D) Fungus obtains all nutrients from dead organisms

E) Fungus releases toxins to gain nutrients

• Questions on Protozoa
• Questions on Algae
• Questions on Protists and Disease

 Answer Key with Explanations

    1. C – Fungi digest food externally and absorb nutrients.

    2. C – Saprotrophs feed on dead organic material.

    3. B – They secrete enzymes outside their body to digest.

    4. B – Parasites live on living organisms and harm them.

    5. C – Fungi increase nutrient and water uptake for the host.

    6. C – Mycorrhizae are fungal-root symbioses.

    7. C – They increase root absorption surface area.

    8. C – Lichens involve fungi and algae/cyanobacteria.

    9. C – The fungus provides structure and retains moisture.

    10. C – Fungi are never autotrophs.

    11. B – Saprotrophs break down and feed on dead matter.

    12. D – Haustoria penetrate host tissue to absorb nutrients.

    13. B – Ectomycorrhizae surround roots but don’t enter cells.

    14. C – They form symbioses mainly with flowering plants.

    15. D – Plants provide carbohydrates to the fungi.

    16. C – In commensalism, one benefits, the other is unaffected.

    17. C – Endomycorrhizae enter plant root cells.

    18. E – Termites have symbiosis with saprotrophic fungi that help digest wood.

    19. C – Parasitic fungi harm their hosts.

    20. B – Mutualism means both the fungus and its partner benefit.

Dive into the groundbreaking science of neurotransmitters—your brain’s invisible architects—in Chemical Harmony: How Neurotransmitters Shape Our Lives (2025). This meticulously researched book reveals how serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and other brain chemicals silently orchestrate every aspect of your existence, from decision-making and relationships to mental health and emotional resilience.Click here to buy

👉 +3000 Biology Questions with Answers Key.

Ads

Share Online!

Ronaldo Silva: Professor and Specialist in Science Teaching, from UFF/RJ, with more than 25 years of experience in teaching.