Life cycle of Rhizopus(in 300 easy words)... Plzz answer fast... Answer should be in points.
Answers
Rhizopus species have haploid mycelium composed of haploid, multinuclear, coenocytic hyphe. It reproduces both sexually and asexually. Life cycle is characteristic for Zygomycota and is represented in the picture below.
Sexual reproduction. When two compatible hyphe are met, growth of aerial hyphe called zygophores occurs (1). Zygophores grow towards each other and gametangia are formed at their tips (2). The two gametangia undergo plasmogamy which leads to the formation of zygote (3) which contains nuclei from both gametangia (therefore is heterokaryotic). Zygote is transformed into zygospore (also called zygosporangia) which is thick walled and helps survive harsh environmental conditions (4). In this characteristic structure, the karyogamy occurs which results in diploid nuclei (5). In favorable conditions, after meiosis, the zygospore germinates into sporangiophore which bears a sporangium. Sporangium contains numerous spores which germinate into mycelia (8). Some spores will germinate in matng type + and some in mating type - mycelium which are neccesary for the initiation of sexual process in heterothallic species. This is not the case in homothallic species, which are self-fertile.
During asexual reproduction (9), the sporangiophores with sporangia are formed directly from mycelium. All spores in these sporangia are genetically identical (sporangiospores).
Rhizopus species grow as filamentous, branching hyphae that generally lack cross-walls (i.e., they are coenocytic). They reproduce by forming asexual and sexual spores. In asexual reproduction, sporangiospores are produced inside a spherical structure, the sporangium. Sporangia are supported by a large apophysate columella atop a long stalk, the sporangiophore. Sporangiophores arise among distinctive, root-like rhizoids. In sexual reproduction, a dark zygospore is produced at the point where two compatible mycelia fuse. Upon germination, a zygospore produces colonies that are genetically different from either parent.
R. microsporus var. oligosporus is used to make tempeh, a fermented food derived from soybeans.
R. oryzae is used in the production of alcoholic beverages in parts of Asia and Africa.
Rhizopus stolonifer (black bread mold) causes fruit rot on strawberry, tomato, and sweet potato and used in commercial production of fumaric acid and cortisone.
Various species, including R. stolonifer, may cause soft rot in sweet potatoes and Narcissus.