In mushrooms and puffballs, edible part represents

Options

A. mycelium
B. ascocarp
C. basidiocarp
D. rhizomorph

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Organisms**: The question refers to mushrooms and puffballs, which are both types of fungi.

2. **Understand the Structure of Fungi**: Fungi have different structures, including mycelium, rhizomorphs, ascocarps, and basidiocarps.

3. **Define Mycelium and Rhizomorphs**: Mycelium is a network of hyphae that is arranged linearly, while rhizomorphs are more complex arrangements of hyphae. Both structures are involved in nutrient and water absorption and are not edible.

4. **Differentiate Between Ascocarps and Basidiocarps**: Ascocarps are structures that contain spores and are not part of the Basidiomycetes class. In contrast, basidiocarps are the fruiting bodies of Basidiomycetes.

5. **Identify the Edible Part**: In mushrooms and puffballs, the edible part is the basidiocarp. This is the structure that is typically consumed.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, in mushrooms and puffballs, the edible part represents the basidiocarp.

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