Which type of spores are commonly used in the laboratory to identify fungi?

• A. Conidia
• B. Endospores
• C. Zygospores
• D. Cysts

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that spores are reproductive or survival structures produced by fungi and some bacteria, and different types of spores have distinct roles and characteristics.
2. Recognize that endospores are a type of spore produced by certain bacteria (like Bacillus and Clostridium) for survival under harsh conditions, not typically used to identify fungi.
3. Know that zygospores are sexual spores formed by the fusion of two similar gametes in some fungi, but they are not commonly used for routine laboratory identification.
4. Learn that cysts are dormant forms of some protozoa and certain bacteria, not fungal spores, so they are not relevant for fungal identification.
5. Identify that conidia are asexual spores produced externally by many fungi and are commonly used in the laboratory to identify fungal species because of their distinctive shapes and arrangements.