Question

Penicillium belongs to which of the following fungal groups
1. Phycomycetes
2. Ascomycetes
3. Basidiomycetes
4. Deuteromycetes

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Ascomycetes

Concept:

• Fungi constitute a unique kingdom of heterotrophic organisms.
• Fungi show a great diversity in morphology and habitat.
• Fungi are cosmopolitan and occur in air, water, soil, animals, and plants.
• The study of fungi is Mycology.
• Fungi are categorized into 4  classes: Ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, Phycomycetes & Deuteromycetes

​
Explanation:

• Penicillium is a multicellular fungus belonging to the class Ascomycetes. 

Characters of class Ascomycetes:

• Commonly known as sac-fungi, the ascomycetes are mostly multicellular
• They are saprophytic, decomposers, parasitic or coprophilous (growing on dung)
• Mycelium is branched and septate
• The asexual spores are conidia produced exogenously on the special mycelium called conidiophores. Conidia on germination produce mycelium
• Sexual spores are called ascospores which are produced endogenously in sac-like asci (singular ascus). These asci are arranged in different types of fruiting bodies called ascocarps

• Phycomycetes
  • ‘Phycomycetes’ include fungal species of Oomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, and Zygomycetes.
  • They are considered as lower fungi.
• Ascomycetes
  • Ascomycetes include a wide range of fungi such as yeasts, powdery mildews, cup fungi, morels.
  • ex- Morchella, Peziza
• Basidiomycetes
  • Basidiomycetes include puffballs, toadstools, bird’s nest fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, rusts, and smuts.
  • ex- Agaricus, Geaster
• Deuteromycetes
  • The fungi belonging to this group lack sexual reproduction and are called imperfect fungi. 
  • ex-  Pycnidium - Phoma, Acervulus - Colletotrichum