Lecture 4: Fungal spores

Question 1

What are spores specialised for

Answer 1

Dormancy and dispersal

Question 2

Types of spores and the class they are associated to

Answer 2

• Sporangiospores: Mucoromycota
• Zygospore: Rhizopus
• Ascospore: Ascomycota
• Basidiospores: Basidiomycota
• Aeciospores: Rusts or smuts
• Urediniospores: Rusts or smuts
• Teliospores: Rusts or smuts

Question 3

Dormancy

Answer 3

when growth and development are temporarily stopped or slowed down to minimise metabolic activity and help conserve energy.

Question 4

Constitutive dormancy

Answer 4

Spores do not readily germinate under suitable conditions, they require an ageing period or activation like heat shock treatment. mostly observed in sexual spores

Question 5

Exogenous dormancy

Answer 5

The spores stay dormant if the environment is unsuitable and will germinate readily in response to the presence of nutrients

Question 6

Why is dispersal important

Answer 6

To maintain the species, extend its range and spread genetic variability. It’s also important for biodiversity and the balance of the ecosystem

Question 7

Adaptation of wind dispersal spores

Answer 7

They must be very small, light weight and hydrophobic

Question 8

Adaptation of water dispersal spores

Answer 8

Have appendages covered with mucus to aid with adherence.

Question 9

Tetradiate spores

Answer 9

4-armed spores formed by aquatic fungi and aid in buoyancy by trapping air bubbles between their arms

Question 10

Three steps of dispersal of airborne-spores

Answer 10

1. Spore take off: spores break free from boundary layer
2. flight: spores must be resistant to desiccation and UV-light. they’re reliant of wind speed and rain
3. Spore landing: Sedimentation in Calm conditions