Sarah Izhar Content Writer
Content Writer
Reproduction in fungi takes place sexually as well as asexually. However, the latter type of reproduction in fungi is considered advantageous as the reproduction is faster than sexual reproduction.
The asexual spores of fungi can be produced even in harsh environments. Secondly, asexual reproduction is more efficient as it requires only one parent.
What is Asexual Reproduction in Fungi?
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Asexual Reproduction in Fungi can take place by fragmentation, budding, binary fission, and spore formation.
- In fragmentation, the parent cell divides into fragments giving rise to a new organism.
- In budding, there is a formation of an outgrowth on the parent cell which leads to the formation of a new organism. Example- yeast.
- The division of a nucleus into two daughter nuclei is called binary fission. Example- Saccharomyces.
- Fungi also reproduce by producing spores in adverse conditions. This process is called sporulation.
What are the Asexual Spores of Fungi?
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One of the most common methods of reproduction in fungi is by spore formation.
- These spores carry the genetic information of the parent.
- When spores are released into the environment, they develop into new organisms.
- Asexual spores of fungi can be of the following types:
Sporangiospores
Sporangiospores are the asexual spores of fungi that are produced in sporangia.
- Sporangia are sac-like structures in which the spores are produced.
- These sporagia develop at the end of hyphae (aerial) called sporangiophore.
- An example of sporangiospores is Rhizopus
Conidiospores
Conispores or conidia is a type of asexual spore produced from fungi.
- They are single-celled or multinucleated structures that rise from conidiophores.
- Conidiospores are produced in chains or singly at the tip or side of hyphae.
- Examples of conidiospores are Aspergillus, Penicillium
Conidiospores
Arthrospores:
Fragmentation of hyphae leads to the formation of arthrospores.
- Arthrospores are formed under environmental stress conditions.
- Geotrichum and Trichosporium are examples of arthrospores.
Arthrospores
Blastospores:
These are the spores formed at the end of the hyphae.
- Blastospores grow in clusters at the end of the hyphae.
- An example of blastospores is Yeast.
Blastospores
Chlamydospores:
Chlamydospores are single-celled spores with thick walls.
- They are formed under adverse conditions.
- Examples of chlamydospores are basidiomycetes, zygomycetes, and ascomycetes.
Chlamydospores
Things to remember:
- Asexual spores of fungi are of five types: conidia, arthrospores, chlamydospores, blastospores, and sporangiospores.
- Sporulation is one of the most common methods of asexual reproduction in fungi.
- The long thread-like structures produced by fungi for growth and reproduction are called hyphae.
- Conidiophores are the asexual structures that give rise to conidiospores.
- A sac-like structure from which spores are produced is called sporangium.
Sample Questions
Ques. Why is the asexual reproduction of fungi advantageous over the sexual reproduction of fungi? (2 marks)
Ans. Asexual reproduction of fungi is advantageous over sexual reproduction of fungi due to the following reasons:
- It requires only one parent for reproduction.
- Such a type of reproduction is more efficient.
- Asexual reproduction is faster than sexual reproduction.
Ques. Differentiate between sporulation and fragmentation. (2 marks)
Ans. The following table shows the difference between the two:
| Sporulation | Fragmentation |
|---|---|
| Spores are formed that carry genetic material of the parent | The parent cell divides into fragments from which forms a new organism |
| Spores survive in adverse conditions | Need suitable environmental conditions to survive |
| Wide dispersion | Localized dispersion |
Ques. How are asexual spores of fungi different from sexual spores of fungi? (2 marks)
Ans. Fungi produce spores both sexually and asexually.
- In the asexual spores of fungi, the new organism resembles the parent cell.
- The sexual spores of fungi are different from the parent cell.
Ques. How are conidiospores different from sporangiospores? (2 marks)
Ans. Conidiospores and sporangiospores are the type of asexual spores of fungi.
- A conidiospore is not enclosed in a sac-like structure and is free-floating. It is produced from fungi fungi ascomycetes.
- Sporangiospores on the other hand are enclosed within a structure sporangium and are produced from fungi zygomycetes.
Ques. Differentiate between hyphae and mycelium. (2 marks)
Ans. The differences between hyphae and mycelium and given below:
| Hyphae | Mycelium |
|---|---|
| They are long filamentous structures that form mycelium | Mycelium are the vegetative parts and are formed from hyphae |
| They are the building components of fungi | A collective mass of hyphae is called mycelium |
Ques. Describe the appearance of chlamydospores and sporangiospores. (2 marks)
Ans. Chlamydospores and sporangiospores are the asexual spores of fungi.
- Chlamydospores are multicellular spores and are spherical in shape.
- They have a smooth surface and are dark-colored.
- Sporangiospores are unicellular and are elongated.
- They have a thin wall and are usually pale in color.
Ques. Differentiate between the asexual reproduction methods of fungi: budding and fragmentation. (2 marks)
Ans. The following table highlights the difference between budding and fragmentation:
| Budding | Fragmentation |
|---|---|
| In this method, the growth of offspring occurs from the outgrowth present in the parent cell | In this method, the growth of offspring occurs from the fragments of the parent cell |
| It takes place in unicellular and multicellular organisms | It takes place in multicellular organisms |
| Examples- yeast, amoeba | Examples- fungi, jellyfish, etc. |
Ques. What is zygomycetes? Are they related to fungi? (2 marks)
Ans. Zygomycetes are a group of fungi that belong to the phylum Zygomycota.
- They are responsible for producing asexual spores called sporangiospores.
- An example of zygomycetes is bread mold Rhizopus Stolonifer.
Ques. Differentiate between an exospore and an endospore. (3 marks)
Ans. The following is a table that shows the difference between the two:
| Exospore | Endospore |
|---|---|
| It is produced at the end of the mother cell. | It is produced inside the mother cell |
| Produced by: Bacteria | Produced by: Fungi and Algae |
| It involves cell division | It does not involve division |
| Many exospores can be produced by a single organism | Only single endospore can be produced by a single organism |
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