Question

Fungi are able to reproduce asexually by creating conidiospores and sporangiospores. Which of the following is an accurate explanation for why it is advantageous that they are also capable of sexual reproduction?

1) Asexually produced offspring are more likely to compete for resources and will kill off the parental fungi.
2) Fungi normally produce sexually but produce asexually in harsh conditions such as severe drought.
3) Offspring from two parents may have variations in form and function that contribute to survival of the species.
4) Sexual reproduction produces more offspring at a faster rate than spore formation.

Answer 1

Fungi can reproduce asexually for quick spread and sexually to enhance genetic variability under changing environmental conditions. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of haploid hyphae from two parents, leading to offspring with greater genetic diversity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fungi are known to reproduce by both asexual and sexual reproduction, allowing them to adapt to various environmental conditions. Asexually, fungi can spread quickly via the production of spores like conidiospores and sporangiospores, or through methods such as budding and fragmentation. Sexual reproduction, on the other hand, is crucial for enhancing the genetic variability within a species.

This mode of reproduction becomes particularly advantageous under changing or stressful conditions, where variations in offspring may contribute to the survival of the species. Offspring produced by the fusion of genetic material from two different parents can display new combinations of traits, potentially giving them an advantage in coping with new challenges, such as environmental shifts, pathogens, or resource scarcity.

In fungi, sexual reproduction involves the fusion of haploid hyphae from two parents, often of different mating types, such as (+) and (-), which leads to the formation of a diploid zygospore. The produced zygospore has a thick coat that offers protection under harsh conditions and can remain dormant until the environment becomes favorable again. Upon germination, meiosis occurs producing haploid spores that grow into new fungi. This process results in greater genetic diversity among the offspring compared to asexual reproduction where offspring are genetically identical to the parent.