When a moist slice of bread was kept aside for a few days then some organism grew on it to from a white, cottony mass which later turned black. When this slice of bread was observed through a magifying 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 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.

Answer

(a) Bread mould ; Rhizopus (b) Spores of bread mould plant are always present around us. One such spore landed on moist slice of bread and finding the conditions favourable (presence of moisture, nutrients and warmth, etc) grew into mould (c) Hyphae (d) Sporangia ; Spores (e) Spore formation (f) Bacteria (g) Ferns and Mosses