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How do ectomycorrhizae differ from endomycorrhizae?
AEctomycorrhizae form a dense sheath around the root
BEctomycorrhizae are embedded within the root tissue
CEctomycorrhizae grow only inside the root vascular stele
DEctomycorrhizae live free in soil without touching roots
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Ectomycorrhizae form a dense sheath around the root
1. Mycorrhizae come in two types, ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.
2. Ectomycorrhizae form an extensive dense sheath around the roots, called a mantle.
3. Hyphae extend from that mantle into the soil, increasing the surface area for water and mineral absorption.
4. This type is found in forest trees, especially conifers, birches and oaks.
5. Endomycorrhizae, also called arbuscular mycorrhizae, form no dense sheath and instead have the fungal mycelium embedded within the root tissue.
6. So the option describing embedding inside the root reverses the two types, which is the standard confusion between the prefixes.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 31 "Soil and Plant Nutrition", section 31.3 Nutritional Adaptations of Plants_
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