Question

A symbiotic association between fungus and underground part of a plant is
A. Hyperparasite
B. Mycorrhiza
C. Endophyte
D. Subterranean parasite

Answer 1

Hint:- We know that most of the fungal organisms are heterotrophic in nature. They are not
capable of making their own food. Many of the plants present on the earth incapable of taking the
proteins like phosphorus and nitrogen from the soil. However, these plants have green pigment and
able to participate in the process of photosynthesis. Also, the fungi can take the proteins from the
soil. Thus, both of them get together and help each other.

Complete answer:-
A. The symbiotic relationship between vascular plant roots and fungi is called the Mycorrhiza. The
the term Mycorrhiza is derived from the Greek language. The phrase “myco” means fungi and “rhiza” means roots. The fungal organisms come into direct interaction with plant roots and with soil.
Because of this, it adds the ability of the plants to gather nutrients and water from the soil through
the fungus.
B. The organism which lives off another parasite is called Hyperparasite.
C. A bacterium or fungus which lives internally to the plant for at least a part of its life cycle is called
Endophyte.
D. A parasite which lives underground on roots is called a subterranean parasite.
So, the correct answer is Mycorrhiza.

Note:- Thus, we can say that the Mycorrhiza is the name given to the symbiotic association between a fungus and the underground part of a plant. With the help of this relation, both the fungi and the plant benefit from each other. The organic molecules such as sugars by photosynthesis are prepared by the plant and it is given to the fungi. In return, the raw materials such as the water and mineral nutrients, such as phosphorus are supplied by the fungus to the plant by taking them from the soil.