Question

Basidiospores are borne on the tip of
A. Mycelium
B. Ascocarp
C. Flagella
D. Aplanospore

Answer 1

Hint:-Basidiospores are the reproductive spores produced by fungi Basidiomycetes which include shelf fungi, mushrooms, rusts, and smuts. Basidiospores are produced through meiosis and thus contain a haploid nucleus.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
Basidiospores are produced by specialized cells present in fungi known as basidia. From a single basidium, typically four basidiospores are produced. Out of these four basidiospores, two are of one strain and the other two are of its opposite strain. These spores are the dispersal units of fungi and are released during the time of high humidity (such as during night time). These spores germinate under favourable conditions by producing hyphae and these hyphae then grow to form a growing circle of mycelium. The basidiospores are directly borne on mycelium or on the reproductive bodies known as basidiocarp. The mycelium passes through different stages involving the germination of basidiospores. So the correct option is (A) Mycelium.

Additional information:- Basidiospores has an appendage (known as a hilar appendage) on its surface from where the spore is attached to the basidium. Mostly basidiospores are asymmetric in shape and are single-celled without any septa. The shape ranges from oblong, spherical or oval, to cylindrical or ellipsoid.

Note:- Mycelium appears as a ball of cotton to the naked eyes. Mycelium is present in the fungus and is its vegetative part. Fungi absorb its nutrients from the environment through this mycelium. The absorption occurs by the means of facilitated diffusion and active transport. Apart from serving as a vegetative unit used in reproduction, mycelium is also involved in the decomposition of organic matter. Thus they are very important in nature.