Question 1

Which of the following best describes how fungi acquire nutrients?

Accepted Answer

Heterotrophic, digesting food externally and then absorbing nutrients

Question 2

What is the primary ecological role of fungi in terrestrial ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Decomposers, recycling nutrients by breaking down organic matter

Question 3

Which of the following is a major advantage of multicellular fungi with hyphae compared to unicellular fungi?

Accepted Answer

Greater surface area for nutrient absorption

Question 4

A fungus is found digesting the wood of a living tree. What type of ecological interaction is this?

Accepted Answer

Consumption (parasitism)

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the relationship between a fungus and a plant in a mycorrhizal association?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism, with nutrient and water exchange

Question 6

Which fungal lineage includes most mushroom-forming species?

Accepted Answer

Basidiomycetes

Question 7

Yeast, such as 	extit{Saccharomyces cerevisiae}, is classified as which type of fungus?

Accepted Answer

Unicellular Ascomycete

Question 8

Which of the following traits is NOT a key evolutionary innovation in fungi?

Accepted Answer

Chloroplasts for photosynthesis

Question 9

Fungi are able to digest tough plant materials such as lignin and cellulose. What is the main reason for this ability?

Accepted Answer

They release diverse extracellular enzymes into the environment

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why fungal diversity is important for soil decomposition rates?

Accepted Answer

Higher fungal diversity leads to greater enzyme variety, increasing decomposition

Question 11

Lichens are an example of which type of ecological relationship?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism between fungi and algae

Question 12

Which of the following is TRUE about the fungal life cycle?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can reproduce both sexually and asexually

Question 13

Which of the following is a biotrophic fungal interaction?

Accepted Answer

A fungus causing athlete's foot in humans

Question 14

Which of the following statements about fungal phylogeny is correct?

Accepted Answer

Fungi and animals share a more recent common ancestor than fungi and plants

Question 15

What is the main function of mycorrhizal fungi in plant roots?

Accepted Answer

To exchange nutrients and water with the plant

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct description of saprotrophic fungi?

Accepted Answer

They consume dead organic material

Question 17

Which of the following is a major reason why fungal diseases are on the rise globally?

Accepted Answer

Environmental changes affecting fungal distribution

Question 18

Which of the following is TRUE about the cell wall of fungi?

Accepted Answer

It is made of chitin

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of Ophiocordyceps in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

It is a pathogenic fungus that infects and kills insects

Question 20

Which equation best represents the process of aerobic fermentation by yeast in bread making?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6$} + 6\mathrm{O_2$} \rightarrow 6\mathrm{CO_2$} + 6\mathrm{H_2O}$$

Ch. 29 – Fungi: Diversity, Structure, Function, and Ecological Roles

Study Guide - Practice Questions