Question

Fungi are important decomposers in terrestrial ecosystems. Some fungi are able to break down lignin in plants, through the production of an enzyme called lignin peroxidase, something that no other organism can do. The ability to break down lignin by some fungi is reflected by which of the statements?

A. Expression of genes necessary to break down lignin were lost in lineages that are not in the evolutionary history of fungi.
B. A mutation occurred in a gene found in some fungi, and the enzyme produced is able to break down lignin.
C. Many organisms have the end to producentymes for breaking down lignin but do not express those genes

Answer 1

The correct answer is option B. "A mutation occurred in a gene found in some fungi, and the enzyme produced is able to break down lignin".

Step-by-step explanation:

The unique trait of expressing lignin peroxidase that some fungi have in order to break down lignin must have being the result of natural selection. Natural selection works under the premise of "survival of the fittest", where a spontaneous mutation gives an advantageous trait to an individual that makes it more likely to survive and reproduce. In this case breaking down lignin gives some fungi the advantage of being able to feed from wood.