Question

In-class Phycomycetes, the mycelium is
a. Coenocytic and aseptate
b. Coenocytic and septate
c. Unicellular and aseptate
d. Multicellular and septate

Answer 1

Phycomycetes is a class of fungi with aseptate hyphae which means there is no cell wall surrounding the cells. Species of this class are found in aquatic habitats and on damp places, in moist decaying wood, or on plants as obligate parasites. Phycomycetes have an asexual and sexual mode of reproduction. Asexual is by the formation of spores. Phycomycetes is also known as the Lower Fungi.

Complete answer:
- On the basis of methods of reproduction, the different classes of fungi are classified.
- Phycomycetes are the class of fungi that undergo asexual as well as sexual reproduction.
- The mycelium of the fungi is aseptate and coenocytic.
- Coenocytic means that in the cytoplasm hyphae consists of many cells.
- After karyokinesis, there is no formation of the cell wall, which results in the formation of coenocytic and aseptate mycelium.
- Septate hyphae are seen in the Aspergillus.
- Except for yeast most of the fungi are multicellular.
- Unicellular fungi such as Saccharomyces lack mycelium.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Additional information:
- Phycomycetes have resemblance with some algae in the thallus and sex organ morphology. That's why it is known as algal fungi.
- Asexual reproduction occurs by the development of zoospores and aplanospores which are produced in sporangia.
- These class fungi are usually found in the refrigerator so they are called bread mold.
Phycomycetes is a multicellular fungus.

Note: Phycomycetes is a class of fungi in which mycelium is coenocytic and aseptate. No cell walls present. Mycelium is a vegetative part of fungi which have thread-like hyphae. Mycelium is edible and safe. It is a multicellular fungus. It is found throughout the world in the soil and on fruits also. It has an aquatic habitat. Both sexual and asexual reproduction are present. Also termed as algal fungi or Lower fungi.