Question

Which of the following features is not associated with Rhizopus?
A. Zoospores
B. Columella
C. Sporangiophore
D. Filamentous hyphae

Answer 1

Hint:
Rhizopus is saprophytic and parasitic fungi which are generally found in moist places. It is used to produce lactic acid, fermentation of alcohol, production of biotin and fumaric acid, absorbs heavy metals in wastewater and can also cause fungal infection like mucormycosis and black bread mold. Some of the species are Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizopus microsporus etc. It has a cotton-like appearance and is fast-growing fungus.

Complete step by step answer:
Option A- Zoospores
These are motile asexual spores which are generally formed in algae, bacteria and primitive type of fungi like in aquatic and terrestrial. Motile as they consist of flagellum for locomotion.

Option B- Columella
It is a dome-shaped part which is present in each sporangium, consisting of a protoplasm which is continuous with the protoplasm of sporangiophore.

Option C- Sporangiophore
Sporangiophore is the reproductive part of branched and multinucleated mycelium which consists of sporangiospores.

Option D- Filamentous hyphae
Rhizopus is composed of branched mycelium which is multinucleated and is formed of three different types of filamentous hyphae- stolon, rhizoids and sporangiophore. Its cytoplasm consists of vacuoles, golgi bodies and mitochondria. Stolon and rhizoids form the vegetative hyphae while sporangiophore forms reproductive hyphae.

Thus, the correct option is option A- Zoospores.

Note:
Genus Rhizopus belongs to the kingdom fungi, division Mycota, class Zygomycetes, order Mucorales, family Mucoraceae. Rhizopus reproduce by forming asexual and sexual spores. In asexual reproduction, sporangiophore produce sporangium in which sporangiospores are present while in sexual reproduction, zygospore is produced on fusion of compatible mycelia.