Question

Common bread mould is
A. Yeast
B. Rhizopus
C. Bacteria
D. Virus

Answer 1

Bread mould is a heterotrophic species which is dependent upon starch or sugar for the derivation of its energy as a source of carbohydrates. Generally, they use bread or fruits including strawberries, for its growth, development and reproduction.

Complete step by step answer:
A. Rhizopus is the fungal species which is also known as bread mould. It survives as a mass of mycelium which is a part of the vegetative filament portion of the organism. It also has a fruiting structure. Since it is one of the first moulds to start growing on stale bread, it has the name bread mould. It is capable of causing diseases in immunocompromised individuals and can act as a cause for opportunistic infections. Considering the other options:
B. Yeast: It is also a unicellular organism, also belonging to kingdom fungi also known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It aids in the conversion of carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and alcohol as a part of its respiration. This process has been exploited for baking purposes and in brewing industries for a long time.
C. Bacteria: They are microscopic single-celled organisms that survive and grow in a wide variety of habitats. They are prokaryotic organisms having a very primitive cell structure. These organisms can have harmful as well as beneficial effects. Some can cause infectious diseases while surviving as a parasite. Others might have useful effects such as milk curdling, production of vaccines and much more.
D. Virus: It is the smallest independent living cell. Viruses are predominantly parasitic in nature and can cause a variety of diseases in both plants and animals.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note: Many fungi are predominantly used in the brewing and baking process, thus making it have a widespread commercial application. It is also used in the production of several vitamins and pigments. They are also used in the process of biomineralization.