Question 1

Which of the following best describes the nutritional adaptations of fungi that allow them to thrive in environments where bacteria may not survive?

Accepted Answer

Fungi grow better at pH 5, can tolerate high sugar and salt concentrations, and can metabolize complex carbohydrates.

Question 2

A patient presents with a fungal infection that is localized to the hair shafts. Which type of mycosis is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Superficial mycosis

Question 3

Which of the following statements correctly differentiates fungal cell walls from bacterial cell walls?

Accepted Answer

Fungal cell walls contain glucans, mannans, and chitin, while bacterial cell walls contain peptidoglycan.

Question 4

Which phase of sexual reproduction in fungi involves the fusion of haploid nuclei to form a diploid zygote?

Accepted Answer

Karyogamy

Question 5

A fungal species is observed to switch between a yeast-like form at $37\ ^\circ \mathrm{C}$ and a mold-like form at $25\ ^\circ \mathrm{C}$. What is the term for this property, and why is it clinically significant?

Accepted Answer

Dimorphic; it is associated with many pathogenic fungi that can infect humans.

Question 6

Which of the following fungal phyla is characterized by coenocytic hyphae and produces zygospores during sexual reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Mucoromycota (Zygomycota)

Question 7

A laboratory is testing for fungal spores that are not enclosed in a sac and arise from mitosis. Which type of spore are they most likely observing?

Accepted Answer

Conidiospore

Question 8

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events in the sexual life cycle of fungi?

Accepted Answer

Plasmogamy $\rightarrow$ Karyogamy $\rightarrow$ Meiosis

Question 9

Which medically important fungus is responsible for the production of ergot toxin, and what is a major effect of exposure?

Accepted Answer

Claviceps purpurea; leads to seizures and psychosis

Question 10

Which of the following economic effects is correctly matched with its fungal source?

Accepted Answer

Saccharomyces cerevisiae: production of bread, wine, and hepatitis B vaccine

Question 11

A patient with AIDS develops pneumonia caused by a fungus that is normally harmless in healthy individuals. What type of mycosis is this?

Accepted Answer

Opportunistic mycosis

Question 12

Which of the following statements about Microsporidia is correct?

Accepted Answer

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that lack mitochondria.

Question 13

Which structure in fungi is responsible for nutrient absorption, and how does it differ from the structure involved in reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Vegetative hyphae absorb nutrients; aerial hyphae are involved in reproduction.

Question 14

Which of the following is a distinguishing feature of septate hyphae in fungi?

Accepted Answer

They have divisions between each cell, appearing as a string of individual cells.

Question 15

A fungal infection is diagnosed in a patient’s lungs. Which phylum is most likely responsible if the causative agent is Rhizopus stolonifer?

Accepted Answer

Mucoromycota (Zygomycota)

Question 16

Which type of fungal spore is produced by fragmentation of septate hyphae?

Accepted Answer

Arthroconidia

Question 17

Which of the following is true regarding the reproduction of Ascomycota?

Accepted Answer

They produce asexual conidiospores and sexual ascospores.

Question 18

A scientist is studying a fungus that forms sexual spores externally on a pedestal called a basidium. To which phylum does this fungus belong?

Accepted Answer

Basidiomycota

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why fungi are classified as chemoheterotrophs?

Accepted Answer

They absorb organic nutrients from their environment.

Fungi, Protists, and Parasitic Animals: Structure, Classification, and Medical Importance

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