Question

In fungi, spores generated by sexual reproduction are genetically ____________ because they are created by the cellular process of ___________.

Answer 1

Sexual reproduction introduces genetic variation into a population of fungi. In fungi, sexual reproduction often occurs in response to adverse environmental conditions. Two mating types are produced. When both mating types are present in the same mycelium, it is called homothallic, or self-fertile. Heterothallic mycelia require two different, but compatible, mycelia to reproduce sexually.

The zygospore is genetically different from the parents. After the zygospore germinates, it can undergo meiosis, forming haploid cells that develop into new hyphae.

In fungi, spores generated by sexual reproduction are genetically different from the parents because they are created by the cellular process of meiosis.