When a moist slice of bread was kept aside for a few days then some organism grew on it to form a white cottony mass which later turned black. When this slice of bread was observed through a magnifying glass, then fine thread-like projections and thin stems having bulb-like structures at the top were seen.

(a) What is the common name and scientific name of the organism which grew on the moist slice of bread ?


(b) How did this organism grow on the moist slice of bread automatically?


(c) What are the fine, thread-like projections on the surface of slice of bread known as ?


(d) What name is given to the knob-like structures and what do they contain ?


(e) What is the name of this method of reproduction ?


(f) Name one unicellular organism which reproduces by this method.


(g) Name two non-flowering plants which reproduce by this method.

(a) Common name-Bread mould; Scientific name-Rhizopus fungus

(b) Spores of rhizopus fungus (bread mould) are always present in air. These air-borne spores landed on moist slice of bread, under favorable conditions like presence of moisture, nutrients and warmth, they grew and produced new individuals.


(c) The fine, thread-like projections on the surface of slice of bread are known as hyphae.


(d) The knob-like structures are called sporangia and they contain spores.


(e) It is type of asexual reproduction method called spore formation.


(f) Bacteria (unicellular organism) reproduces by this method.


(g) Ferns and Mosses are two non-flowering plants which reproduce by spore formation.


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