Question

In fungi, sporangiospores and ascospores are found in bag-like structures but are always present in even numbers. These spore types are not same because

• A. They are basically the same, but the sporangiospores are always larger.
• B. Ascospores are formed as a result of meiosis, while sporangiospores are a result of mitosis.
• C. Sporangiospores are produced by sexual recombination, while ascospores are produced asexually.
• D. They are basically the same, but ascospores are always larger.
• E. The structure are the same, but they were named differently before they were determined to have the same function.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Ascospores are formed as a result of meiosis, while sporangiospores are a result of mitosis.

Ascospores are set of sexual spores, usually eight in number and are present in ascus of an ascomycete. Karyogamy between two nuclei in ascus forms diploid zygote which in turn under one meiosis and one mitosis to form eight haploid ascospores. Sporangiospores are asexual spores and are produced by cytoplasmic division. Sporangiospores are flagellated motile structures while ascospores are non-flagellated ones; both are involved in reproduction in fungi (same function). Thus, the correct answer is option B.