AIIMS 2006 Botany Fungal Reproduction MCQ Question

Explanation

Answer: (D) Bear basidiocarps

Rusts, smuts and mushrooms belong to Basidiomycetes. Their sexual reproduction involves basidia, which produce basidiospores. The fruiting body/structure in which basidia are present is called a basidiocarp.

Why other options are wrong

🔴 A. ✗ Wrong — Rust and smut are plant pathogens, but mushrooms are generally saprophytic/decomposers, so all three cannot be called pathogens.

🔴 B. ✗ Wrong — They are not all saprobes.

🔴 C. ✗ Wrong — Ascocarp is the fruiting body of Ascomycetes, not Basidiomycetes.

🟢 D. ✓ Correct — They belong to Basidiomycetes, which are characterised by basidia/basidiospores and basidiocarp in typical forms.

🌱 What are Ascocarp & Basidiocarp?

Ascocarp → Fruiting body of Ascomycetes → contains asci → asci produce ascospores

Basidiocarp → Fruiting body of Basidiomycetes → contains basidia → basidia produce basidiospores

⚡ Quick Revision

• Ascomycetes → Ascocarp → Ascus → Ascospore

• Basidiomycetes → Basidiocarp → Basidium → Basidiospore

• NEET Trick: ASCO → ASCU(S) | BASIDIO → BASIDIUM