Question

Conidia bearing structures of Penicillium are
A. Metulae
B. Rami
C. Sterigmata
D. Asci

Answer 1

Hint: Penicillium is a type of fungus that is seen commonly in our environment. These organisms reproduce with the help of an asexual spore called conidium. These are non-motile in nature as they lack structures for a movement like flagella.

Complete answer: Asexual reproduction is the method by which organisms reproduce in an asexual manner involving only a single parent. Note that it differs from sexual reproduction as the latter involves both parents. All the offsprings produced by asexual reproduction are not only identical to the parent, but also to one another. It is sexual reproduction that brings in variation to the offsprings. We must know about the types of asexual reproduction. They are binary fission, budding, zoospore formation, conidia formation, and gemmules. Conidia are formed in a special type of structure called sterigmata. The vegetative body of the fungus is called mycelium. Conidia are formed exogenously on the mycelium by a structure called conidiophore. There is a special structure formed at the tip of conidiophores called sterigmata. It is where the formation of these spores takes place and they disperse to surroundings. Conidiophores are highly branched structures. Branches of conidiophores are called rami. The single branch is called a ramus. Ramus gets branched again to form metulae. Sterigmata are formed at the tip of the metulae.
Hence, the correct option is C.

Note: Budding is a type of asexual reproduction in which small buds are produced from the parent cell, which gets separated and matures into a new organism. Budding is seen in Yeast, Hydra, etc.