Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Saccharomyces cerevisiae used in baking industry is a multicellular fungus.
Statement (II): Both haploid and diploid cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae may divides asexually by budding.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.
• C. Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.
• D. Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.

Hint:

During nutrient starvation, diploid cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergo meiosis to form a tetrad of four haploid spores protected inside an ascus, which allows them to survive harsh environmental conditions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as baker's yeast or brewer's yeast, is a highly important model organism in genetics and biotechnology.
Its cellular structure and reproductive cycles are well characterized.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each statement:
- Statement (I): Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a prominent member of the kingdom Fungi.
However, unlike most other fungi, yeasts are defined as unicellular microorganisms.
They grow as single cells rather than forming multicellular filamentous hyphae or mycelial networks.
Therefore, Statement (I) is false.
- Statement (II): Yeast cells can exist stably in both haploid ($1n$) and diploid ($2n$) states.
Both of these ploidy states undergo vegetative asexual reproduction through a process called budding.
During budding, a small protuberance (bud) emerges from the mother cell, receives a copy of the replicated nucleus, grows, and eventually pinches off as a genetically identical daughter cell.
Therefore, Statement (II) is true.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Statement (I) is false, but Statement (II) is true, corresponding to option (D).