Quiz 3

Question 1

Describe the major characteristics of the genus Amanita (“Amanitaceae”).

Answer 1

white gills
white spores
unattached gills
stipe often conspicuous with annulus or volva

Question 2

Describe and illustrate hemiangiocarpous development, including the proper terminology.

Answer 2

Partial veil becomes annulus, universal veil becomes volva
See phone for illustration

Question 3

“Destroying Angels

Answer 3

verna/A. virosa/A. bisporigera group,

alpha-amanitin- a bicyclic oligopeptide that inhibits RNA polymerase; toxic to liver, secreted back into intestine via bile

pure white
usually with annulus and volva,
no uv remnants on pileus,

Question 4

“Death Caps”

Answer 4

phalloides- Greenish-brown cap, otherwise similar to A. virosa (destroying angel)

Produce phalloidin- bicyclic oligopeptide
- inhibits depolymerization
of F-actin
- also a liver toxin

Question 5

“Fly Agaric”

Answer 5

Produce neurologically active compounds, including hallucinogens:
- Ibotenic acid and its
decarboxylated form,
muscimol: similar to gamma-
aminobutyric acid (GABA), a
neurotransmitter
- Muscarine:
- similar to acetylcholine,
resistant to
acetylcholinesterase:
causes sweating,
lacrimation, salivation,
nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, blurred vision

In Europe: bright red pileus with white universal veil remnants, In NE USA: “var. formosa”, a yellow version