A multicellular mass of filaments that spreads through the organic matter being used by fungi is called

Options

A. mycelium
B. hyphae
C. ascocarp
D. fruiting body

Answer

To answer the question "A multicellular mass of filaments that spreads through the organic matter being used by fungi is called," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Structure of Fungi**:
- Fungi are composed of structures called hyphae, which are long, slender filaments.

2. **Identify Hyphae**:
- Hyphae can be unicellular or multicellular. When hyphae are numerous and intertwined, they form a network.

3. **Define Mycelium**:
- When multiple hyphae intertwine and form a dense network, this structure is referred to as mycelium. Mycelium is the vegetative part of the fungus and spreads through the organic matter it decomposes.

4. **Eliminate Incorrect Options**:
- The other options such as ascocarp and fruiting body refer to reproductive structures, not the vegetative mass. Therefore, they cannot be the answer.

5. **Conclude the Answer**:
- The correct term for a multicellular mass of filaments that spreads through organic matter is **mycelium**.

### Final Answer:
The multicellular mass of filaments that spreads through the organic matter being used by fungi is called **mycelium**.

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