State whether the following statements are true or false.
Members of Zygomycotina and Oomycotina are called the 'algal fungi' because they have many common features with algae especially in the thallus structure and reproduction.
A. True
B. False

Answer

To determine whether the statement is true or false, let's analyze the key components of the statement regarding Zygomycotina and Oomycotina being called 'algal fungi'.

**Step 1: Understanding Zygomycotina and Oomycotina**
- Zygomycotina and Oomycotina are two classes of fungi that exhibit certain similarities with algae, particularly in their structure and reproductive methods.

**Step 2: Thallus Structure Comparison**
- Algae typically have a filamentous thallus structure.
- In contrast, Zygomycotina and Oomycotina also have a filamentous structure but with a tuft of filamentous hair known as rhizoids. This similarity in thallus structure is one of the reasons they are referred to as 'algal fungi'.

**Step 3: Reproductive Features Comparison**
- In fungi, karyogamy (fusion of nuclei) is a common process, while plasmogamy (fusion of cytoplasm) is usually absent.
- However, Zygomycotina and Oomycotina exhibit plasmogamy between two gametangia (the sexual reproductive structures), which is a characteristic that aligns them more closely with algae in terms of reproduction.

**Step 4: Conclusion**
- Since both Zygomycotina and Oomycotina share significant features with algae, particularly in thallus structure and reproduction, the statement that they are called 'algal fungi' is indeed true.

Therefore, the answer is:
**A. True**

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