AQA · GCSE · Biology

    Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018

    Many fungi reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to…

    Full specification wording

    Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction (biology only): Many fungi reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to give variation.

    Fungi such as moulds and mushrooms can reproduce in two ways.

    Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 5 of 8
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Fungi such as moulds and mushrooms can reproduce in two ways. Asexual reproduction produces spores by mitosis, so each spore is genetically identical to the parent. A single mould colony can release thousands of spores that land on suitable food and grow into new colonies quickly, which is efficient when conditions are favourable. Sexual reproduction involves hyphae of different mating types fusing, followed by meiosis, so the spores produced carry new combinations of alleles. This genetic variation means some offspring may survive changed conditions, such as a new fungicide or a different food source. Many fungi therefore use asexual spores for rapid colonisation and sexual reproduction when variation is advantageous.

    What earns the marks

    • Fungi can reproduce asexually by producing spores by mitosis, giving genetically identical offspring.
    • Asexual spores allow rapid colonisation of suitable food or surfaces when conditions are favourable.
    • Sexual reproduction in fungi involves the fusion of hyphae or gametes from different mating types.
    • Meiosis during sexual reproduction produces spores with new allele combinations, giving genetic variation.
    • Genetic variation increases the chance that some offspring survive environmental change or disease.
    • Many fungi use both methods, so the life cycle can include an asexual phase and a sexual phase.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Saying all fungal spores are the product of sexual reproduction.

      Put it right: Asexual spores are produced by mitosis.

    • Confusing spores with seeds.

      Put it right: Fungal spores are not seeds and do not contain an embryo formed by fertilisation in the same way.

    • Claiming sexual reproduction in fungi always requires separate male and female organisms.

      Put it right: Mating types may be different but are not simply male and female.

    • Forgetting that meiosis is the source of variation in sexual reproduction.

    Exam tips

    • State the type of cell division for each mode: mitosis for asexual spores, meiosis for sexual spores.
    • Link asexual reproduction to speed and large numbers, and sexual reproduction to variation.
    • Use examples such as moulds on bread or mushrooms to make answers concrete.
    • Avoid saying fungi only reproduce sexually; many use both methods at different times.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction (biology only): Many fungi reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to give variation. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which structure do many fungi use to reproduce asexually?

    Listen

    Fungi such as moulds and mushrooms can reproduce in two ways. Asexual reproduction produces spores by mitosis, so each spore is genetically identical to the parent. A single mould colony can release thousands of spores that land on suitable food and grow into new colonies quickly, which is efficient when conditions are favourable. Sexual reproduction involves hyphae of different mating types fusing, followed by meiosis, so the spores produced carry new combinations of alleles. This genetic variation means some offspring may survive changed conditions, such as a new fungicide or a different food source. Many fungi therefore use asexual spores for rapid colonisation and sexual reproduction when variation is advantageous. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Fungi can reproduce asexually by producing spores by mitosis, giving genetically identical offspring. Asexual spores allow rapid colonisation of suitable food or surfaces when conditions are favourable. Sexual reproduction in fungi involves the fusion of hyphae or gametes from different mating types. Meiosis during sexual reproduction produces spores with new allele combinations, giving genetic variation. Exam tip: State the type of cell division for each mode: mitosis for asexual spores, meiosis for sexual spores.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart starting from a single node labelled Fungus, which branches into two paths. The left path is Asexual reproduction, leading to Spores produced by mitosis, which then leads to two outcomes: Genetically identical to parent, and Rapid colonisation when conditions favourable. The right path is Sexual reproduction, leading to Hyphae of different mating types fuse, then Meiosis, then Spores with new allele combinations, then Genetic variation, and finally Some offspring may survive changed conditions.
    It shows how a fungus can reproduce asexually by mitosis to give identical spores and rapid colonisation, or sexually by fusion and meiosis to give variation that may help offspring survive change.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Asexual versus sexual reproduction

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    Genetic variation

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    Adaptation and survival

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    Fungal life cycles

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    See every definition
    Asexual versus sexual reproduction
    Many fungi reproduce asexually by spores but also reproduce sexually to give variation.
    Genetic variation
    New combinations of alleles in the spores produced by sexual reproduction, meaning some offspring may survive changed conditions.
    Adaptation and survival
    Genetic variation increases the chance that some offspring survive environmental change or disease.
    Fungal life cycles
    Many fungi use both methods, so the life cycle can include an asexual phase and a sexual phase.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart starting from a single node labelled Fungus, which branches into two paths. The left path is Asexual reproduction, leading to Spores produced by mitosis, which then leads to two outcomes: Genetically identical to parent, and Rapid colonisation when conditions favourable. The right path is Sexual reproduction, leading to Hyphae of different mating types fuse, then Meiosis, then Spores with new allele combinations, then Genetic variation, and finally Some offspring may survive changed conditions.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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