Chapter 22, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

All the organisms present in the environment is composed of a cell. The organisms are classified into two types. These are prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are the organisms that do not contain a well-defined nucleus. However, eukaryotes have a well-defined nucleus properly enclosed in a nuclear membrane. A fungus is also a eukaryote.

Answer to Problem 1SA

Correct answer:

All the fungi are heterotrophs as they depend on other organisms for food. They are not capable of producing their own food. Hence, the correct answer is option c.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for correct answer:

Option c. is given as “are heterotrophs.”

The organisms that are capable of preparing their food by the process of photosynthesis are termed as autotrophs. However, the organisms that cannot prepare food and depend on other organisms are termed as heterotrophs. Fungus is also a heterotroph as it depends on other organisms for food.

Reason for incorrect answer:

Option a. is given as, “are multicelled.”

The organisms that contain one cell are called unicellular or single-celled organisms. However, the ones that are composed of more than one cell are called multicelled organisms. Fungi can be both single-celled and multicelled. The fungi with one cell are called yeasts. Hence, option a. is incorrect.

Option b. is given as, “form flagellated spores.”

Fungi have the ability to produce spores. They can produce a variety of spores such as both flagellated and non-flagellated spores. Chyratids is the only type of fungi that produce flagellated spores. However, all other types of fungi produce non-flagellated spores. Hence, option b. is incorrect.

Option d. is given as, “all of the above.”

The only correct option that holds correct for fungi is option c. This is because fungi are heterotrophic organisms as they cannot prepare their own food. However, all the other options do not explain the characteristic of fungi accurately. Hence, option d. is incorrect.

Hence, the options a., b., and d. are incorrect.

Conclusion

Fungi are the heterotrophic organisms as they cannot prepare food. They are dependent on other organisms for their nutrition. Thus, the correct option is c.