Biology
Biology
12th Edition
ISBN: 9780134813448
Author: Audesirk, Teresa, Gerald, Byers, Bruce E.
Publisher: Pearson,
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Chapter 23, Problem 1MC
Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Fungi include organisms that are neither plants nor animals. They are the group of eukaryotic organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. They are known to be the decomposers of dead organic matter in an ecosystem. Fungi get food by absorbing the nutrients from other organisms. They do not prepare their own food.

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Answer to Problem 1MC

Correct answer:

The cell wall of fungi is primarily made up of chitin. Therefore, option (c) is correct.

Option (c) is given as “chitin”.

Explanation of Solution

Justify reason for the correct statement:

The fungal cell wall is made up of chitin which is a fibrous substance made up of the polysaccharide. It is a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine molecules.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Justify reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (a) is given as “lignin”.

Lignin which is found in the cell wall of plants is responsible for the rigidity and prevents water absorption. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (b) is given as “cellulose”.

Cellulose is the main component of plant cell wall. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d) is given as “glucose”

Glucose is the product synthesized in plants during photosynthesis. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

The fungal cell wall is composed of chitin which is a polysaccharide having repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine molecules.

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Students have asked these similar questions
The cell walls of fungi are strengthened by chitin, a strong but flexible polysaccharide. Which of these statements about the function of chitin in fungal cell wall is TRUE? a. Chitin-rich walls of fungi improves feeding by facilitated diffusion. b. The movement of water and nutrients into fungal cells creates pressure that could cause them to burst if they were not surrounded by a chitin-rich cell wall. c. The chitin present in fungal cell wall does not impart any advantage in terms of nutrient acquisition from the environment. d. Chitinous tubular cell walls confers motility to multicellular fungi.
Which of the following statements about fungi is false?a. Most fungi are multicellular.b. Fungal cell walls are composed of cellulose.c. Most fungi are nonmotile.d. Fungi digest their food before ingesting it.
1)If we study septate and coenocytic hyphae of equal length from two fungi species, then the coenocytic hyphae is unique because A. It is haploid B. It has fewer pores in the wall C. It has more cytoplasm streaming d.Has cellulose in the cell walls
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