[Campbell Biology P.705] How does the structure of a fungal mycelium contribute to its feedi... | Practice Question
How does the structure of a fungal mycelium contribute to its feeding efficiency?
A: Mycelia are composed of a single, thick hypha that can store a large amount of nutrients.
B: The interwoven mass of hyphae forming the mycelium maximizes its surface-to-volume ratio, allowing for efficient absorption of nutrients.
C: Mycelia are motile and can actively move towards new food sources, increasing access to nutrients.
D: The mycelium's structure primarily protects the fungal cells from bursting due to osmosis by forming a rigid barrier.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'Fungal hyphae form an interwoven mass called a mycelium plural, mycelia that infiltrates the material on which the fungus feeds... The structure of a mycelium maximizes its surface-to-volume ratio, making feeding very efficient.'