Question

Neurospora is widely used in genetic studies. Pick out the false statement.

• A. They can be cultured easily in the lab.
• B. Being haploid, the recessive gene can express themselves.
• C. Crossing over is rare phenomenon and it can not be detected.
• D. They have short life-cycle of 10 days.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Crossing over is rare phenomenon and it can not be detected.

Neurospora is typically a haploid fungus and have only a short diploid stage prior to meiosis. A haploid organism express both recessive and dominant genes and omit the need of test cross to determine the genotype of a dominant organism. Also, it can be easily cultured on a simple medium with few salts, sugars and biotin, i.e., simple nutritional requirements. They follow Mendelian genetics which means that even closely placed genes are segregated independently and do not show linkage but follow cross over to form new genetic combinations.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.