Question 1: Define fungi and describe one way in which they can act as pathogens in humans.

Answer: Fungi are a group of spore-producing organisms that include molds, yeasts, and mushrooms. They can act as pathogens by infecting skin, nails, or internal organs, causing diseases such as athlete's foot or yeast infections.

Question 2: Explain how fungi reproduce and spread to new hosts.

Answer: Fungi reproduce mainly through the production of spores, which can be dispersed through air, water, or contact. When spores land on suitable surfaces or hosts, they germinate and grow, leading to infection.

Question 3: What safety precautions should be taken when handling fungi in a laboratory setting?

Answer: Students should wear gloves and lab coats, avoid inhaling spores, work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood, and sterilize all equipment after use.

Question 4: Calculate the surface area in square centimeters of a fungal colony that is 2 cm in diameter.

Answer: Formula: Surface area of a circle = 4πr^2; with radius r = 1 cm, Surface area = 4 * 3.14 * (1)^2 = 12.56 cm^2

Question 5: Identify which of the following is NOT a method fungi use to reproduce: a) budding, b) spore formation, c) binary fission, d) fragmentation.

Answer: c) binary fission

Question 6: Fill in the blank: Fungi such as molds and yeasts are classified as __________ organisms because they obtain nutrients by absorbing organic material from their environment.

Answer: heterotrophic

Question 7: Describe one experiment you could perform to observe fungal growth and state the variables involved.

Answer: An experiment could involve placing a small piece of bread or fruit in a sealed container and observing mold growth over several days. Variables include the type of food (independent), temperature and humidity (controlled variables), and the amount of mold growth (dependent). Safety precautions include wearing gloves and sterilizing equipment after the experiment.

Question 8: Analyze the following scenario: A student notices increased fungal growth when the temperature is raised from 20°C to 30°C. What could be a possible explanation?

Answer: Fungi generally grow faster at higher temperatures within their optimal range, so increasing temperature from 20°C to 30°C can enhance fungal reproduction and growth rate.

Question 9: In real-world applications, how are fungi used in industry or medicine?

Answer: Fungi are used to produce antibiotics like penicillin, in the fermentation of bread, beer, and cheese, and in bioremediation to break down pollutants.