Question

In Mucor, asexual reproduction takes place by
A) Motile zoospores
B) Spores
C) Zoo Gametes
D) )Zygospores

Answer 1

Asexual reproduction in Fungi like Mucor takes place when the conditions are unfavorable. There are other methods of reproduction as well like vegetative reproduction which includes fragmentation and sexual reproduction which include oospores, ascospores, and basidiospores.

Complete answer:
Mucor is a type of Phycomycetes which is a group of Fungi found in aquatic habitats and decaying wood. Asexual reproduction in Mucor takes place by asexual spores like oidia, chlamydospore, and sporangiospores. Oidia/ Oidium is formed when the hypha breaks up into smaller pieces which later develop into spores. Chlamydospores are thick-walled spores whereas sporangiospores are spores that are produced within a sporangium (endogenous spores). Sexual reproduction in Phycomycetes takes place through zygospores that are formed by the fusion of two gametes.

Additional information:
Other groups of Fungi include:
Ascomycetes: They are commonly known as sac-fungi which produce asexual spores known as conidia. These spores are produced outside the mycelium which is known as conidiospores (exogenously). The sexual spores are known as ascospores which are borne endogenously in sacs known as ascii. Examples include Claviceps, Neurospora.
Basidiomycetes: The most common forms of Basidiomycetes are mushrooms, bracket fungi, and puffballs. Asexual forms of Basidiomycetes are not found and sex organs are absent as well. Two somatic cells fuse resulting in basidium which undergoes meiosis to form basidiospores which are borne exogenously. Examples include Agaricus, Ustilago, etc.
Deuteromycetes: Also known as imperfect fungi as only the asexual phases of these fungi are known. Once the sexual phases are discovered they are moved to either ascomycetes or basidiomycetes. Examples include Trichoderma, Alternaria.

Hence, the correct answer is option ‘B’ i.e, ‘Spores’.

Note:
-Unicellular fungi like yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is used to make bread and fungi whereas there are some other fungi that cause diseases like Puccinia which causes wheat rust disease.
-The sexual reproduction of Fungi includes the fusion of protoplasm between two gametes known as plasmogamy, followed by fusion of nuclei known as karyogamy and meiosis of the zygote resulting in haploid spores.
-Examples of Phycomycetes include Mucor, Rhizopus (bread mold), and Albugo which is a parasitic fungus on mustard, morels, and truffles.