Fungi of the phylum Basidiomycota form mycorrhizal associations with orchids, a type of flowering plant. How do these associatio
ns benefit both the fungi and the orchids? A. The orchids release enzymes to break down sugar for the fungi, while the fungi fertilizes the soil surrounding the plant.
B. The orchids gain nutrients and carbon dioxide from the fungi, while the fungi gain oxygen and sugar from the orchids.
C. The orchids receive water and oxygen from the fungi, while the fungi receive food and minerals from the orchids.
D. The orchids produce decaying material for the fungi, while the fungi provide structural support to the orchids.
This is a symbiotic relationship. The mycorrhiza is harbored I the roots of the orchids. The fungi nitrify the soil around the plant. Therefore, the fungi make nitrates (which are critical for the growth of the plant) available to the plant. The fungi, on the other hand, are assisted in breaking down of large carbon polymers by the orchids because the plant’s enzyme is more powerful than those of the fungi.
