Guía 11: Fungi: heterotrophs that feed by absorption

¿Qué tipo de organismos se clasifican como hongos?

• Quimiotrofos

• Autótrofos

• Heterótrofos

• Fotótrofos

Answer explanation

Fungi are classified as heterotrophs because they obtain their nutrients by absorbing organic matter from their environment, rather than producing their own food like autotrophs or using light like phototrophs.

¿Cómo obtienen principalmente sus nutrientes los hongos?

• Por fotosíntesis

• Por ingestión

• Por absorción

• Por fermentación

Answer explanation

Fungi primarily obtain their nutrients by absorption. They secrete enzymes to break down complex substances in their environment, allowing them to absorb the resulting small organic molecules.

¿Qué secretan los hongos para descomponer moléculas complejas?

• Carbohidratos

• Enzimas hidrolíticas

• Proteínas

• Lípidos

Answer explanation

Fungi secrete hydrolytic enzymes to break down complex molecules into simpler forms. These enzymes facilitate the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, allowing fungi to absorb nutrients effectively.

¿Cuál de los siguientes roles NO desempeñan los hongos en las comunidades ecológicas?

• Descomponedores

• Productores

• Parásitos

• Mutualistas

Answer explanation

Fungi are primarily decomposers, parasites, and mutualists, playing vital roles in nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships. However, they do not function as producers, as they cannot perform photosynthesis like plants.

¿Cuál es la estructura corporal principal de la mayoría de los hongos?

• Células individuales

• Filamentos multicelulares

• Formas esféricas

• Estructuras coloniales

Answer explanation

The primary body structure of most fungi is multicellular filaments, known as hyphae, which form a network called mycelium. This structure allows fungi to efficiently absorb nutrients from their environment.

¿Cuál es el nombre de los filamentos diminutos que componen el cuerpo de los hongos multicelulares?

• Esporas

• Micelio

• Hifas

• Quitina

Answer explanation

The tiny filaments that make up the body of multicellular fungi are called hyphae. They form a network known as mycelium, which is essential for nutrient absorption and growth.

¿Qué refuerza las paredes celulares de los hongos?

• Lignina

• Quitina

• Celulosa

• Queratina

Answer explanation

Chitin is a polysaccharide that provides structural support to the cell walls of fungi, making it the correct answer. Lignin, cellulose, and keratin are associated with plants and animals, not fungi.

¿Qué proceso permite que el agua se mueva hacia las células fúngicas?

• Transporte activo

• Ósmosis

• Difusión

• Difusión facilitada

Answer explanation

Osmosis is the process where water moves across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. Fungal cells absorb water this way, making osmosis the correct choice.

¿Cómo se llaman las paredes transversales en los hifas?

• Septa

• Poros

• Quitina

• Filamentos

Answer explanation

The cross-walls in hyphae are called septa. These structures divide the hyphae into compartments, allowing for the regulation of cytoplasm and organelles within the fungal filaments.

¿Qué tipo de hongos absorben nutrientes de huéspedes vivos?

• Hongos parasitarios

• Hongos patógenos

• Descomponedores

• Mutualistas

Answer explanation

Parasitic fungi absorb nutrients from living hosts, often harming them in the process. In contrast, pathogenic fungi specifically cause disease, while decomposers break down dead matter and mutualists form beneficial relationships.