True or False:
The multi-cellular stage in the life cycle of a fungus is haploid.
http://staff.jccc.net/PDECELL/celldivision/lifecycles.html#fungi
Yes, true. And to make it more interesting, there is a species of fungi that live in symbosis with orchid seeds (which have no endosperm)...the haploid fungi invade the orchid nuclei, and it the right ones join up to make a dipholid reproductive fungus, it produces simple sugars as a byproduct that allows the orchid zygote to develope to a seedling. Orchid seed provides the enzymes, fungi in mating produce food for orchid seed. Nice sweet touch both ways.
That was a test question. Your answer agrees with the professor.
The multicellur mycellium of basidiomycetes is primarily dikaryotic, so I picked false.
My professor said that the nuclei are still haploid so the statement is true.
Of course the nuclei are haploid in a dikaryotic cell, but I would still consider the stage as a whole to be dikaryotic and not haploid.
So, am I wrong?
The nuclei are indeed haploid. At some times, there may be two nuclei, each haploid, in a dikaryotic "cell". (Some argue that this structure is not a cell)
This is the danger for true/false questions, sometimes the answer begs for explaination. You knew too much to answer the question simply. It is not worth hiring a lawyer over it.
In this case, the statement that the multicellular stage in the life cycle of a fungus is haploid is true. However, it is important to note that the multicellular stage, known as the mycelium, of basidiomycetes (a group of fungi) is primarily dikaryotic, meaning it contains two haploid nuclei. Each of these nuclei is haploid, meaning they contain one set of chromosomes. Some argue that the structure containing these nuclei is not a true cell but rather a compartment within the mycelium.
It's understandable that you may have approached the question with a broader understanding of the topic, considering the overall nature of the mycelium as dikaryotic. However, in the specific context of the statement, focusing on the haploid nature of the nuclei is the key factor to consider.
So, to answer your question directly, no, you are not wrong in your understanding of the mycelium as primarily dikaryotic. However, in the given context of the statement, the nuclei within the mycelium are still haploid, and therefore, the statement is true.