Question 16
1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
2. Some mushrooms have psycho-active properties.
3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
4. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.
How many of the above statements are correct?
AOptions
BSolution
Let's evaluate each statement regarding mushrooms:
1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties: This statement is correct. Many mushroom species, such as Reishi, Shiitake, Chaga, and Cordyceps, have been traditionally used and are being studied for their medicinal properties, including immune-boosting, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects.
2. Some mushrooms have psycho-active properties: This statement is correct. Certain mushroom species, commonly known as 'magic mushrooms', contain psychoactive compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, which can induce altered states of consciousness.
3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties: This statement is correct. Some fungi, including certain mushroom-forming species or their close relatives, produce compounds that are toxic to insects or are parasitic to insects (e.g., entomopathogenic fungi like Beauveria bassiana). These can be used as biological pest control agents.
4. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties: This statement is correct. There are several species of fungi, including some mushrooms (e.g., Mycena species, Panellus stipticus), that exhibit bioluminescence, meaning they glow in the dark due to chemical reactions within their cells.
Since all four statements are correct, the answer is 'All four'.
CStrategy
For questions about the properties of natural organisms, consider the diversity within the group. When statements use qualifiers like 'some', it often suggests that the property exists, even if not universally. Think broadly about the different roles and characteristics mushrooms or fungi can have in nature and human interaction.
DSyllabus Analysis
This question falls under 'General Science' (Biology/Mycology) and 'Environment and Ecology' in the UPSC Prelims syllabus, focusing on the diverse properties of organisms.
EQuestion Analysis
Medium. While some properties are well-known, recalling all four specific properties for 'some mushrooms' requires a broader knowledge of fungi.