Question 1: Define fungi and describe their main characteristics as pathogens.

Answer: Fungi are a group of organisms that include molds, yeasts, and mushrooms. They are eukaryotic organisms with cell walls made of chitin. As pathogens, some fungi infect humans, plants, and animals, often causing diseases like athlete's foot, ringworm, or crop rot.

Question 2: Explain how fungi infect their hosts and cause disease.

Answer: Fungi infect hosts by releasing spores that attach to surfaces or skin. They then grow hyphae that penetrate tissues, releasing enzymes that digest cells and cause damage, leading to symptoms of infection.

Question 1: A fungal culture starts with 1,000 spores. If the spores double in number every 24 hours, how many spores will there be after 5 days? (Use the formula: Final number = Initial number × 2^number of days)

Answer: Final number = 1000 × 2^5 = 1000 × 32 = 32,000 spores

Question 1: Describe a safe and ethical way to investigate the effect of different sugar concentrations on fungal growth in the lab.

Answer: Students should set up petri dishes with agar medium containing varying sugar concentrations, ensuring sterile techniques to prevent contamination. They should wear gloves and lab coats, avoid inhaling spores, and dispose of cultures properly after the experiment. Variables include sugar concentration (independent), fungal growth rate (dependent), and temperature (controlled).

Question 1: A study measured fungal colony sizes in square millimeters after 7 days under three different humidity levels: 50%, 75%, and 90%. The results were: 50% humidity - 20 mm², 75% humidity - 50 mm², 90% humidity - 80 mm². What trend do you observe, and what might this suggest about fungi's response to humidity?

Answer: The data shows that as humidity increases, fungal growth also increases. This suggests fungi thrive in more humid environments, with higher humidity promoting larger colonies.

Question 1: Describe the role of spores in the fungal life cycle and how they contribute to the spread of fungal infections.

Answer: Spores are reproductive units that fungi produce to disperse and colonize new environments. They can be carried by wind, water, or animals. When they land in suitable conditions, spores germinate and grow into new fungi, facilitating the spread of infection and colonization of new hosts.

Question 2: List three common diseases caused by pathogenic fungi and the parts of the body they affect.

Answer: Athlete's foot (skin), ringworm (skin), thrush (mouth and throat).

Question 1: How are fungi used in the production of antibiotics? Provide an example.

Answer: Fungi such as Penicillium produce antibiotics like penicillin, which are used to kill bacteria and treat bacterial infections.

Question 2: Explain one way fungi are important in food production.

Answer: Fungi like yeast are used in baking and brewing to produce bread, beer, and wine through fermentation.