Model fungus in genetics — Neurospora: Why is Neurospora widely used as genetic material? Focus on ploidy, life cycle, and ease of detecting mutations. Choose the most fundamental reason.

Difficulty: Easy

It is haploid, so even recessive mutations are expressed in the phenotype
It is a diploid with multiple sex chromosomes
It cannot be cultured on simple media
It has a very long generation time that reveals late effects

Correct Answer: It is haploid, so even recessive mutations are expressed in the phenotype

Explanation:

Given data

Question: Why use Neurospora in genetic studies?

Concept / Approach
Neurospora (e.g., N. crassa) is a classic model. Being haploid for most of its life cycle means any mutation (even recessive) is directly expressed, simplifying mapping and analysis. It is also easy to culture and has short generation time with ordered tetrads (asci) aiding genetic mapping.

Final Answer
Haploidy exposes recessive mutations.

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Model fungus in genetics — Neurospora: Why is Neurospora widely used as genetic material? Focus on ploidy, life cycle, and ease of detecting mutations. Choose the most fundamental reason.

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