Question

Why are some fungi called ‘fungi imperfecti’?

Answer 1

Hint: Organisms that belong to a group that lacks a sexual stage or its sexual stages are not known in their life cycle.

Complete answer: The fungi imperfecti or imperfect fungi belong to class Deuteromycetes. They reproduce only through asexual spores known as conidia.
1. Their mycelium is septate and branched.
2. Large members feed on the dead and decaying matter while some members are saprophytes. They help in the cycling of minerals.
3. Some common examples are Trichoderma, Colletotrichum, and Alternaria.
4. They do not fit in the common taxonomic classification of fungi.
5. They are also known as anamorphic or mitosporic fungi.
6. It is a polyphyletic group where many species resemble other groups.
7. It is not a true group. The closest group to Deuteromycetes in ascomycetes.
8. Some hyphae combine and form heterokaryotic hyphae.

Additional information: Deuteromycetes are industrially important fungi and have a large impact on human life. They are commonly used in cheese ripening and also in the production of the antibiotic penicillin.
They can also cause some serious diseases.

Note: Deuteromycetes does not possess sexual structures that are used to classify other classes. Some hyphae combine which leads to genetic recombination.