Exam 31: Fungi

Suzanne Simard and colleagues knew that the same mycorrhizal fungal species could colonise multiple types of trees. They wondered if the same fungal individual would colonise different trees, forming an underground network that potentially could transport carbon and nutrients from one tree to another (S. Simard et al. 1997. Net transfer of carbon between mycorrhizal tree species in the field. Nature 388:579-82). Pots containing seedlings of three different tree species were set up and grown under natural conditions for three years (Fig.A). Two of the three species (Douglas fir, birch) could form ectomycorrhizal connections with the same fungal species, but the third species (cedar) could not form an ectomycorrhizal connection with the fungal species. In some of the pots, the researchers placed airtight bags over the Douglas fir and birch seedlings and injected carbon dioxide made from carbon-13 into the bags with the Douglas fir and carbon dioxide made from carbon-14 into the bags with the birch. (13C and 14C are different isotopes of carbon that can be detected and measured by researchers.) As the seedlings photosynthesised, the carbon dioxide was converted into sugars that could be tracked and measured by the researchers. The researchers measured whether the sugars in each plant contained only the carbon isotope that was in the air of their plastic bag or also the carbon isotope from the air around the other plant. Figure A -Referring to Simard et al. (1997), which design element is the control in this experiment and why?

Rose-picker's disease is caused by the yeast Sporothrix schenkii (S. schenkii). The yeast grows on the exteriors of rose-bush thorns. If a human gets pricked by such a thorn, the yeasts can be introduced under the skin. The yeasts then assume a hyphal morphology and grow along the interiors of lymphatic vessels until they reach a lymph node. This often results in the accumulation of pus in the lymph node, which subsequently ulcerates through the skin surface and then drains. Humans have immune systems in which lymph nodes are important, because many white blood cells (phagocytes and lymphocytes) reside there. Given that a successful infection by S. schenkii damages lymph nodes themselves, which of the following is most probable?

The closest relatives of fungi are thought to be the

Along with bacteria and protozoa, some chytrid fungi live in the digestive tracts of cattle and aid in the digestion of plant matter; thus, all three groups represent potential mutualists with cattle. In an experiment designed to test how much of a contribution to cell wall digestion was made by fungi in one part of the stomach (rumen), Lee et al. fed grain to cattle and then removed samples of the rumen contents. They took these samples to the laboratory and experimentally treated them with various chemicals to produce fractions that contained (A) only fungi, (B) only bacteria, (C) only protozoa, and (D) all of the potential mutualists. They then measured the percent of the cell wall that was degraded (see the figure). Degradation rates of cell walls extracted from Orchard grass by the monoculture system to assess the relative contributions of digestion by bacterial (square), protozoan (triangle), and fungal (diamond) systems, and all components (closed circle) as a control. The lowercase letters above the spots indicate statistical significance; mean values with different letters are significantly different (P < 0.05). -Which of the following reasons provides the best explanation for the use of a control that contained all potential mutualists? Comparison to a fraction that contained all potential mutualists allowed the researchers to ________.

For several decades now, amphibian species worldwide have been in decline. A significant proportion of the decline seems to be due to the spread of the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Chytrid sporangia reside within the epidermal cells of infected animals, animals that consequently show areas of sloughed skin. They can also be lethargic, which is expressed through failure to hide and failure to flee. The infection cycle typically takes four to five days, at the end of which zoospores are released from sporangia into the environment. In some amphibian species, mortality rates approach 100%; other species seem able to survive the infection. Apart from direct amphibian-to-amphibian contact, what is the most likely means by which the zoospores spread from one free-living amphibian to another?

Arrange the following in order from largest to smallest, assuming that they all come from the same fungus.

Heterobasidion is a basidiomycete that contributes to mortality of trees. Kuhlman isolated 23 strains of Heterobasidion and applied them to 16 seedlings of 10 different tree species. Partial results of this experiment are shown in the table. (From Kuhlman, E. G. 1970. Seedling inoculations with Fomes annosus show variation in virulence and in host susceptibility. Phytopathology 60:1743-1746. https://www.apsnet.org/publications/phytopathology/backissues/Documents/1970Articles/Phyto60n12_1743.PDF) % mortality of five host species from five Heterobasidion isolates Isolate Isolate Isolate Isolate Isolate Host 63 117 195 126 118 Slash Pine 50 69 94 100 94 Shortleaf Pine 75 56 94 94 100 Red Cedar 38 32 19 50 25 Yellow-Poplar 0 0 6 6 6 Sycamore 0 0 0 0 6 -Which of the following conclusions can best be drawn from these results?

In most fungi, karyogamy does not immediately follow plasmogamy, which consequently ________.

The Neurospora genome is quite compact, lacking many of the noncoding DNA sequences that occur in humans and many other eukaryotes. Which of the following are probable benefits of the compactness of the genome?

The figure depicts the outline of a large fairy ring that has appeared overnight in an open paddock, as viewed from above. The fairy ring represents the furthest advance of this mycelium through the soil. Locations A-D are all 0.5 metres below the soil surface. If the fungus that produced the fairy ring can also produce arbuscules, then which of the following is most likely to be buried at location "C"?

The figure depicts the outline of a large fairy ring that has appeared overnight in an open paddock, as viewed from above. The fairy ring represents the furthest advance of this mycelium through the soil. Locations A-D are all 0.5 metres below the soil surface. Which location is nearest to basidiocarps?

Fungi produce many compounds that humans are able to use medically. How can you account for these compounds?

In the United States and Canada, bats use one of two strategies to survive winter. They either migrate south, or they hibernate. Recently, those that hibernate seem to have come under attack by a fungus, Geomyces destructans (Gd). Many infected bats have a delicate, white filamentous mat on their muzzles, which is referred to as white-nose syndrome (WNS). The fungus invades the bat tissues, causes discomfort, and awakens the bat from its hibernation. The bat fidgets and wastes calories, using up its stored fat. The bat then behaves abnormally, leaving its cave during daytime in winter to search for food. Their food, primarily insects, is scarce during the winter, and the bats ultimately starve to death. Since 2006, it is estimated that over six million bats have perished from WNS. -The Gd mat on the fur of the bats should be expected to consist of ________.

For several decades now, amphibian species worldwide have been in decline. A significant proportion of the decline seems to be due to the spread of the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Chytrid sporangia reside within the epidermal cells of infected animals, animals that consequently show areas of sloughed skin. They can also be lethargic, which is expressed through failure to hide and failure to flee. The infection cycle typically takes four to five days, at the end of which zoospores are released from sporangia into the environment. In some amphibian species, mortality rates approach 100%; other species seem able to survive the infection. When adult amphibian skin harbours populations of the bacterium Janthinobacterium lividum (Jl), chytrid infection seems to be inhibited. Which of the following represents the best experimental design to test whether this inhibition is real?

Chitin is a long-chain polymer derived from glucose. It strengthens cell walls of fungi and the outer covering (exoskeleton) of arthropods (including crabs, shrimps, and insects). The presence of chitin in these groups is likely due to ________.

Which of the following characteristics would be most helpful in distinguishing among different species of fungi?

After cytokinesis occurs in budding yeasts, the daughter cell has a ________.

The multicellular condition of animals and fungi seems to have arisen ________.

A fungal spore germinates, giving rise to a mycelium that grows outward into the soil surrounding the site where the spore originally landed. Which of the following accounts for the fungal movement, as described here?

The ascomycete Brachiola gambiae parasitises the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Adult female mosquitoes must take blood meals for their eggs to develop, and it is while they take blood that they transmit malarial parasites to humans. Male mosquitoes drink flower nectar. If humans are to safely and effectively use Brachiola gambiae as a biological control to reduce human deaths from malaria, then which of the following statements should be correct?