Question

Clamp connection is found in
a. Basidiomycetes
b. Ascomycetes
c. Saccharomycetes
d. Haplomycetes

Answer 1

Hint: A clamp connection is a formation formed by growing hyphal cells of certain fungi. It guarantees that each cell or segment of hypha will receive a set of differing nuclei, which are acquired through mating of hyphae of differing sexual types. It abets to create genetic variation in sexually reproducing species. This is unique to Basidiomycota.

Complete answer:
> Option A - Basidiomycota is one of the two large divisions that, together with the Ascomycota, form the subkingdom Dikarya often termed as the "higher fungi" within the kingdom Fungi. More specifically, Basidiomycota consists of following groups:
- Mushrooms,
- Puffballs,
- Stinkhorns,
- Bracket fungi,
- Other polypores,
- Jelly fungi,
- Boletes,
- Chanterelles,
- Earth stars,
- Smuts,
- Bunts,
- Rusts,
- Mirror yeasts,
- Human pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus.

> Option B - Ascomycota is a phylum of the Fungi Kingdom that, together with the Basidiomycota, forms the subkingdom Dikarya. These members are usually known as the sac fungi or ascomycetes. It is the largest phylum of Fungi, with more than 64,000 species.

> Option C - Saccharomycetes are known for their capability to comprise a monophyletic lineage with a single order of about 1000 known species. These yeasts live as decomposers which feed on dead as well as decay wood, leaves, litter, and other organic matter.

> Option D - Hyphomycetes are a type of classification of Fungi, part of what has often been described as Fungi imperfecti, Deuteromycota, or anamorphic fungi. Hyphomycetes lack closed fruit bodies, as well as are often referred to as moulds.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Clamp connections are created to ensure each cell, or segment of hypha are separated by septa also referred to as cross walls. It also ensures that they receive a set of differing nuclei, which are produced through mating of hyphae of differing sexual forms.