NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mushrooms, puffballs and certain shelf fungi belong to the division of fungi called Basidiomycota. The group comprises 15, 000 known species of fungi and the distinguishing feature present is their club-shaped reproductive organ called the basidium. Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Detailed explanation-2: -One subgroup, the “higher” club fungi, include those that produce large fruiting bodies such as mushrooms, puffballs, or woody bracket fungi.

Detailed explanation-3: -Puffballs fall into the saprobic category of fungi-meaning there are not parasitic on other species, but rather decompose dead organic matter, such as leaf-litter, in order to grow.

Detailed explanation-4: -Club fungi include mushrooms, puffballs, and shelf fungus, as well as plant rusts and smuts.

Detailed explanation-5: -One subgroup, the “higher” club fungi, includes those that produce large fruiting bodies such as mushrooms, puffballs, or woody bracket fungi. These fruiting bodies are what most people probably think of as fungi, though the fruiting body is only a small part of the entire organism.