EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Most fungi reproduce by forming spores that can survive extreme conditions such as cold and lack of water. Both sexual meiotic and asexual mitotic spores may be produced, depending on the species and conditions. Most fungi life cycles consist of both a diploid and a haploid stage.

Detailed explanation-2: -In both sexual and asexual reproduction, fungi produce spores that disperse from the parent organism by either floating on the wind or hitching a ride on an animal. Fungal spores are smaller and lighter than plant seeds. The giant puffball mushroom bursts open and releases trillions of spores.

Detailed explanation-3: -Although fragmentation, fission, and budding are methods of asexual reproduction in a number of fungi, the majority reproduce asexually by the formation of spores.

Detailed explanation-4: -Nearly all fungi form and release vast quantities of spores as part of their life cycle. Spores are the main reproductive units for fungi and are usually single cells. They may be produced either directly by asexual methods or indirectly by sexual reproduction.

Detailed explanation-5: -Spores may originate from fungal saprobes, pathogens, or symbionts. Fungi growing on living plants and on plant debris in the soil are important contributors to the air spora.