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.
General Knowledge
Biology
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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AIt is haploid, so even recessive mutations are expressed in the phenotype
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BIt is a diploid with multiple sex chromosomes
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CIt cannot be cultured on simple media
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DIt has a very long generation time that reveals late effects
Answer
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 / ApproachNeurospora (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 AnswerHaploidy exposes recessive mutations.