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91Ó°ÊÓ

The symbiotic association between fungi and the roots of plants is called: (a) Hyphae (b) Plasmogamy (c) Mycorrhizae (d) Karyogamy (e) Dimorphism

Short Answer

Expert verified
The correct answer is (c) Mycorrhizae.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Terms

First, let's understand the terms provided in the options. - **Hyphae** refers to the thread-like structures of fungi. - **Plasmogamy** is the fusion of cytoplasm from two different fungal cells. - **Mycorrhizae** is a mutualistic association between fungi and plant roots. - **Karyogamy** is the fusion of nuclei from two fungal cells. - **Dimorphism** refers to the two forms a species can take.
02

Identifying the Correct Term

The question asks for the symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots. From Step 1, we learned that **Mycorrhizae** is the term used for this mutualistic relationship between fungi and the roots of plants.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Mycorrhizae
Mycorrhizae represent a fascinating and important symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots. This association is mutualistic, meaning that both the plant and the fungi benefit from the relationship. Almost 90% of terrestrial plants form mycorrhizal relationships, making them crucial for plant health and growth.
  • The fungi provide essential nutrients, like phosphorous, to the plant.
  • The plant, in turn, provides carbohydrates and other organic compounds to the fungi.
Mycorrhizae increase the root surface area, enhancing water absorption, which is particularly beneficial in nutrient-poor soils.
These structures can be classified into two main types: endomycorrhizae, which penetrate plant root cells, and ectomycorrhizae, which surround root cells without penetrating them.
Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiotic relationships are interactions between different species that live close to one another. These relationships can take various forms:
  • Mutualism: Both species benefit, as in mycorrhizae.
  • Commensalism: One species benefits while the other remains unaffected.
  • Parasitism: One species benefits at the expense of the other.
Mycorrhizae is an exemplar of mutualism, where both plants and fungi thrive. These relationships are key to ecological balance and biodiversity, playing a role in nutrient cycling and helping plants adapt to environmental stresses.
Understanding these interactions helps in fields such as agriculture and conservation, aiding the development of practices that enhance crop yields and sustain soil health.
Fungal Structures
Fungi have unique and sophisticated structures that enable them to form symbiotic associations with plants. Fungi are composed of filaments called hyphae, which collectively form a network known as mycelium. These hyphae help fungi to efficiently absorb nutrients from the environment.
Some key characteristics of fungal structures include:
  • Hyphae: These thread-like structures are the basic building blocks of fungi, allowing them to penetrate and colonize plant roots.
  • Fruiting bodies: These are the reproductive structures of fungi, often visible as mushrooms.
  • Spores: These are the reproductive units capable of developing into a new organism.
Fungal structures are vital for their ecological roles, enabling them to decompose organic materials, enhance soil fertility, and establish symbiotic relationships with plants.
Plant Biology
Plant biology encompasses the study of plants' structure, function, growth, and interactions with their environment. Plants are autotrophic organisms, which means they produce their food through photosynthesis.
Key aspects of plant biology include:
  • Roots: Anchor plants in the soil and absorb water and nutrients. Roots also engage in symbiotic relationships with fungi (mycorrhizae).
  • Stems and Leaves: Conduct photosynthesis and transport nutrients through vascular systems of xylem and phloem.
  • Reproductive Organs: Facilitate sexual reproduction through flowers and seeds.
Understanding plant biology helps in various fields such as agriculture, ecology, and medicine. By knowing how plants grow and interact with fungi and other organisms, we can improve crop production and ecosystem resilience.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which of the following is mismatched? (a) Woronin body/organelle that blocks septal pore to protect healthy cells (b) Basidiospores/sexual spores produced on club-shaped basidia (c) Ergot/product of the fungus Claviceps purpura that is used to treat migraines (d) Ascospores/single, thick-walled sexual spore produced between two hyphae (e) Conidia/asexual spores at the ends of hyphae

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