Question

Name the class of mycota which is generally called as fungi imperfecti.
A. Deuteromycota
B. Ascomycota
C. Zoomycota
D. Basidiomycota

Answer 1

Hint: The fungi imperfecti class of the fungi is different from the other classes just because of the absence of the mode of sexual reproduction. The other morphological characters are similar to all other classes.

Complete answer:
The fungi are known to reproduce both sexually and asexually provided they met their respective requirements. The sexual reproduction in fungi is achieved by the fusion of spores and the asexual reproduction is carried out by the processes like budding, fragmentation. All the given options are known to reproduce asexually but the sexual reproduction is achieved only in the last three options as they produce ascospores, zoospores, and basidiospores. Because of the absence of the spores the deuteromycetes is also known as fungi imperfecti. If we observe the characteristic features of the deuteromycetes we will see that they generally grow in the groups as conidia. Most of them have a very well developed septate with mycelium vividly differentiated into conidiophores but in some of the species it has been observed that they have a unicellular thallus. The asxexual mode of reproduction in these fungi is done with the help of conidiophores. The other form we discussed having a unicellular thallus is known to reproduce asexually through scleretia. The deuteromycetes, other than the name of imperfect fungi are also known as the anamorphic fungi due to the morphological anomalies with the other phylum of the fungi.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: The sexual reproduction takes place through fusion of spores whereas asexual occurs through budding or fragmentation. Sexual reproduction is absent in deuteromycota but asexual way of reproduction is present.