Question

radamés cordero et al. have confirmed that twenty mushroom species (including coprinellus micaceus and species from the genus russula) maintain subambient temperatures in both their fruited bodies and their mycelium (the root - like hyphae from which the fruited bodies grow), though the benefits of this hypothermic behavior are unclear. noting that relative coldness was more pronounced in fruiting than in nonfruiting sites of the mycelium—a difference that persisted even after fruited bodies were detached—the researchers speculate that thermoregulation in the mycelium may influence reproductive success. which statement about the mycelium of the twenty mushroom species is best supported by the text? a. variation in thermoregulation across the mycelium may occur independent of the presence or absence of fruited bodies. b. the correlation between higher mycelium temperature and greater fruit productivity indicates that successful reproduction may be dependent on thermoregulation in the mycelium. c. temperatures in the fruiting areas of the mycelium are lower than in the nonfruiting areas due to differences in the depth and spread of the mycelium within soil or other organic matter. d. the mycelium generally maintains temperatures lower than those of the fruited bodies even when considering temperature variations between fruiting and nonfruiting sites.

Explanation:

• Option A: The text says the temperature difference (fruiting vs non - fruiting) in mycelium persisted after fruited bodies were detached. So thermoregulation variation can happen without fruited bodies, which supports A.
• Option B: The text doesn't mention a correlation between higher mycelium temperature and fruit productivity, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: The text doesn't discuss depth/spread of mycelium causing temperature differences, so C is incorrect.
• Option D: The text says relative coldness was more pronounced in fruiting sites, implying mycelium in fruiting sites is colder, contradicting D.

Answer:

A. Variation in thermoregulation across the mycelium may occur independent of the presence or absence of fruited bodies.