Question

In some strains of Aspergillus, male and female gametes produced by the same thallus fuse together to form a zygote. These strains are said to be

• A. Dioecious
• B. Heterothallic
• C. Monoecious
• D. Homothallic

Answer 1

The correct option is D Homothallic

Fungal thalli are classified into homothallic & heterothallic based on the presence of absence of specific reproductive structures.

Homothallic refers to the presence of both male and female reproductive structures in the same thallus. Certain species of Aspergillus exhibits homothallism.

In heterothallic fungi, male and female gametes are formed in different thalli. These fuse together to form the zygote. Yeast is an example of a heterothallic fungi.

Dioecious and monooecious are terms used for gymnosperms and angiosperms. Dioecious plants are those that have distinct staminate and pistillate flowers borne on two different individual plants, as in papaya. Monoecious plants are those in which distinct staminate and pistillate flowers are borne on a single plant, as in cucurbits.