Question

In which class of fungi asexual spores are absent?

Answer 1

Kingdom fungi :

1. Heterotrophic organisms depend on the organic matter of dead substrates and hence are called saprophytes.
2. Some depend on living plants and animals and are called parasitic fungi.
3. Some are also called symbionts as they live in association with lichens and roots of higher plants called mycorrhiza. 629cea00aeba697e9d381459629cea00aeba697e9d38145 629cea00aeba697e9d381459

The morphology of the mycelium, mode of spore formation, and fruiting bodies form the basis for the division of the kingdom into various classes:

1. Basidiomycetes
2. Phycomycetes
3. Ascomycetes
4. Deuteromycetes

Basidiomycetes :

1. Commonly known forms are mushrooms, bracket fungi, or puffballs.
2. The asexual spores are generally absent but vegetative reproduction by fragmentation is common.
3. Common examples are Ustilago and Puccinia.

Phycomycetes:

1. Found in moist and damp places or as obligate parasites in plants.
2. Asexual reproduction takes place by zoospores (motile) or by aplanospores (non-motile).
3. Common examples are Rhizopus (bread mould) and Albugo (an obligate parasite on mustard).

Ascomycetes:

1. Commonly known as sac-fungi like Penicillium or yeast.
2. The asexual spores are conidia and sexual spores are called ascospores.
3. Common examples are Claviceps and Neurospora

Deuteromycetes:

1. Commonly known as imperfect fungi.
2. These moved into the above-given categories based on the asexual/vegetative phase and sexual phase.
3. Examples can be Alternaria, Colletotrichum, and Trichoderma.