Yeast is not included in protozoans but in fungi because
Correct Answer :
Some fungal hyphae grow in such a way that they give the appearance of pseudomycelium
Solution :
The correct option is: "Some fungal hyphae grow in such a way that they give the appearance of pseudomycelium".
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Understanding the nature of Yeast:
Yeast is a unicellular eukaryotic organism. Although most fungi are multicellular and form a network of thread-like structures called hyphae (collectively forming a mycelium), yeast is classified under the kingdom Fungi rather than Protozoa (a group under Kingdom Protista).
2. Analyzing the formation of Pseudomycelium:
When yeast cells reproduce rapidly by budding, the newly formed daughter cells do not immediately detach from the parent cell. Instead, they remain attached and continue to bud repeatedly. This continuous chain of budding cells forms a temporary, branched, filament-like structure known as a pseudomycelium (false mycelium). This characteristic growth pattern closely mimics the true mycelial (hyphal) structure of multicellular fungi.
3. Comparing with Protozoans:
Protozoans are strictly unicellular, animal-like protists that do not form hyphae, mycelia, or pseudomycelia under any growth conditions. The ability of yeast to form these pseudomycelial structures highlights its evolutionary and structural relationship to multicellular fungi, justifying its placement in the kingdom Fungi.
4. Eliminating other options:
- "It has eukaryotic organization": Both protozoans and fungi are eukaryotic, so this feature does not distinguish yeast from protozoans.
- "It has no chlorophyll": Both protozoans and fungi lack chlorophyll, so this also cannot be the distinguishing factor.
- "Cell wall is made up of cellulose and reserve food material as starch": Fungi do not have cellulose cell walls (their cell wall is made of chitin) and they store food as glycogen/oil droplets, not starch.
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