Which statement correctly describes nonfilamentous (yeast) versus filamentous (mold) fungi?

Which statement correctly describes nonfilamentous (yeast) versus filamentous (mold) fungi?

• A. Nonfilamentous are multicellular and reproduce sexually; filamentous are unicellular and reproduce asexually.
• B. Nonfilamentous are unicellular and reproduce asexually; filamentous are multicellular and reproduce sexually.
• C. Nonfilamentous are photosynthetic; filamentous are non-photosynthetic.
• D. Nonfilamentous are aerobic only; filamentous are anaerobic only.

Answer: (B)

Yeasts are single-celled fungi, while molds form branching filaments called hyphae that create a network (a mycelium), making them multicellular in appearance. Yeasts typically reproduce asexually by budding, a simple growth mode, whereas filamentous molds commonly reproduce via spores produced by their hyphae and can also engage in sexual reproduction in many species. This combination—unicellular growth with asexual budding for yeast versus multicellular, filamentous growth with spore-based reproduction for molds—best captures the distinction between nonfilamentous and filamentous fungi. Other options don’t fit because yeasts are not multicellular and molds are not restricted to being unicellular; fungi are not photosynthetic; and while fungi are generally aerobic, they are not limited to strictly aerobic environments.

Yeasts are single-celled fungi, while molds form branching filaments called hyphae that create a network (a mycelium), making them multicellular in appearance. Yeasts typically reproduce asexually by budding, a simple growth mode, whereas filamentous molds commonly reproduce via spores produced by their hyphae and can also engage in sexual reproduction in many species. This combination—unicellular growth with asexual budding for yeast versus multicellular, filamentous growth with spore-based reproduction for molds—best captures the distinction between nonfilamentous and filamentous fungi.

Other options don’t fit because yeasts are not multicellular and molds are not restricted to being unicellular; fungi are not photosynthetic; and while fungi are generally aerobic, they are not limited to strictly aerobic environments.