Question

In Penicillium, the asexual reproduction takes place by
A. ascospores
B. aplanospores
C. sporangiospores
D. conidiospores

Answer 1

Fungi are group of saprophytic organisms that grow on the decay and debris matter such as plant litters as well as animal decay. They consist of both unicellular and multicellular representatives such as yeast and molds. They are used in various forms such as food, in medicines as antibiotics. The production of specific antibiotics by special types of fungi such as Penicillium, is one of the most important uses of fungi.

Complete answer:
Penicillium belongs to the Ascomycota division of fungi. It is an important species used as food as well as in the production of an important family of antibiotics known as the penicillin. Penicillin is used as an antibiotic which acts to kill or stop the growth of certain types of bacteria.
It is a large and uniformly distributed genera and produces specialized toxins known as the mycotoxin. The colonies of Penicillium are in shades of white and green and are usually fast growing. The colonies mostly consist of conidiophores which are chains of cells or the conidia. The conidia are formed from the specialized cells known as the conidiogenous cells or the phialide. The phialides may be produced as single groups or in the form of branches to form a branch-like appearance.
Reproduction in Penicillium takes place by vegetative, asexual as well as sexual reproduction. The vegetative reproduction takes place by the formation of mycelium which divides into two or more parts and each part grows into an individual organism.
The asexual reproduction occurs by the formation of asexual pores which can be motile or immotile. These spores are known as conidiophores. The vegetative body or the mycelium gives rise to long and simple cells known as conidiophores. They appear in branched fashion. The branches of the conidiophores give off chains of cells at the apex of the branches which are known as the conidia. The conidia are spore like cells with a single nucleus. The conidia are expelled from the conidiophores and it germinates to give a new hypha.
Ascospores are produced in Penicillium during the sexual reproduction in the formation of ascus. Ascus is a tube-like vessel and it contains the sexual spores produced by the process of meiosis and are known as the ascospores.
Aplanospores are non-motile asexual spores and are the part of the vegetative cell in certain fungi and algae. Sporangiospores are spores that are produced in the sporangium in the fungi.

Therefore, the correct option is option D.

Note: The fungi Penicillium reproduces by vegetative, asexual reproduction as well as sexual reproduction. In asexual reproduction, the process takes place by the formation of spores known as the conidiospores. The conidiospores that produce conidia are then expelled. It is then moved by air and upon germination on a substratum gives rise to a new hypha to form a complete individual.