Introduction: Classification of fungi MCQs With Answer is an essential review for B. Pharm students studying medical mycology and antifungal pharmacology. This concise, keyword-rich guide covers fungal taxonomy, morphology, reproductive strategies, clinical significance and laboratory identification—linking classification to drug targets like ergosterol, beta-glucan and fungal enzymes. Understanding phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycetes/Mucorales, Chytrids, Glomeromycetes), dimorphism, spore types and diagnostic tests helps pharmacists anticipate antifungal therapy, resistance and drug interactions. These focused MCQs reinforce concepts used in pharmacology, microbiology and therapeutics to prepare you for exams and clinical practice. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which kingdom do fungi belong to?
- Plantae
- Animalia
- Fungi
- Protista
Correct Answer: Fungi
Q2. Which fungal phylum characteristically produces basidiospores on basidia?
- Ascomycota
- Basidiomycota
- Chytridiomycota
- Glomeromycota
Correct Answer: Basidiomycota
Q3. Ascomycota produce sexual spores called what?
- Sporangiospores
- Conidia
- Ascospores
- Basidiospores
Correct Answer: Ascospores
Q4. Which term describes fungi that grow as yeast at 37°C and as mold at 25°C?
- Thermal dimorphism
- Polymorphism
- Facultative phototrophy
- Obligate parasitism
Correct Answer: Thermal dimorphism
Q5. Which fungal genus is known for producing aflatoxin, a potent mycotoxin?
- Penicillium
- Aspergillus
- Claviceps
- Rhizopus
Correct Answer: Aspergillus
Q6. Which antifungal drug binds ergosterol and forms membrane pores?
- Fluconazole
- Flucytosine
- Amphotericin B
- Caspofungin
Correct Answer: Amphotericin B
Q7. Echinocandins inhibit which fungal enzyme or process?
- Lanosterol 14α-demethylase
- β-(1,3)-D-glucan synthase
- Squalene epoxidase
- Chitinase
Correct Answer: β-(1,3)-D-glucan synthase
Q8. Which diagnostic test detects galactomannan antigen used for invasive aspergillosis?
- India ink preparation
- Galactomannan ELISA
- KOH mount
- Gram stain
Correct Answer: Galactomannan ELISA
Q9. Candida albicans shows which rapid phenotypic test positive?
- Germ tube test
- Capsule stain
- Urease test
- Coagulase test
Correct Answer: Germ tube test
Q10. Which fungal structure is primarily composed of chitin?
- Cell membrane
- Cell wall
- Mitochondrial membrane
- Spore coat only
Correct Answer: Cell wall
Q11. Mucor species typically show which hyphal morphology under microscopy?
- Narrow septate hyphae with acute angle branching
- Broad aseptate hyphae with right-angle branching
- Pseudohyphae only
- Spherical yeast forms
Correct Answer: Broad aseptate hyphae with right-angle branching
Q12. Which media is commonly used to culture dermatophytes and other fungi?
- Blood agar
- MacConkey agar
- Sabouraud dextrose agar
- Chocolate agar
Correct Answer: Sabouraud dextrose agar
Q13. Which fungal pathogen is encapsulated and commonly diagnosed by India ink stain?
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Histoplasma capsulatum
- Pneumocystis jirovecii
Correct Answer: Cryptococcus neoformans
Q14. Which antifungal inhibits lanosterol 14α-demethylase (ergosterol synthesis)?
- Amphotericin B
- Azoles (e.g., fluconazole)
- Flucytosine
- Griseofulvin
Correct Answer: Azoles (e.g., fluconazole)
Q15. The sexual form of a fungus is referred to as the what?
- Anamorph
- Teleomorph
- Conidiophore
- Sporangium
Correct Answer: Teleomorph
Q16. Penicillium species are known for producing which clinically important secondary metabolite?
- Aflatoxin
- Ergotamine
- Penicillin
- Ochratoxin
Correct Answer: Penicillin
Q17. Which fungal cell wall polysaccharide is a target of echinocandins?
- Mannan
- Chitin
- β-(1,3)-D-glucan
- Cellulose
Correct Answer: β-(1,3)-D-glucan
Q18. Which organism causes histoplasmosis and multiplies inside macrophages?
- Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Histoplasma capsulatum
- Coccidioides immitis
- Aspergillus niger
Correct Answer: Histoplasma capsulatum
Q19. Conidia are a type of fungal what?
- Sexual spore
- Asexual spore
- Hyphal septum
- Cell wall polymer
Correct Answer: Asexual spore
Q20. Which fungus produces spherules containing endospores in tissue?
- Coccidioides immitis
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Candida albicans
- Microsporum audouinii
Correct Answer: Coccidioides immitis
Q21. Pneumocystis jirovecii is best described as:
- A classic yeast responding to azoles
- A fungus causing pneumonia in immunocompromised patients
- A bacterium treated with beta-lactams
- An obligate parasite of plants
Correct Answer: A fungus causing pneumonia in immunocompromised patients
Q22. Which stain binds to fungal chitin and fluoresces under UV light?
- Lactophenol cotton blue
- Calcofluor white
- Gram stain
- Wright Giemsa
Correct Answer: Calcofluor white
Q23. A broad-based budding yeast is characteristic of which pathogen?
- Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Histoplasma capsulatum
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Coccidioides immitis
Correct Answer: Blastomyces dermatitidis
Q24. Which fungi are keratinophilic and commonly cause tinea infections?
- Dermatophytes
- Aspergilli
- Zygomycetes
- Basidiomycetes
Correct Answer: Dermatophytes
Q25. Teleomorph and anamorph refer to which fungal concepts?
- Environmental versus pathogenic strains
- Sexual form versus asexual form
- Yeast versus mold morphology only
- Culture medium preferences
Correct Answer: Sexual form versus asexual form
Q26. Which fungal toxin is associated with ergotism and contaminated rye?
- Aflatoxin
- Ergotamine
- Ochratoxin A
- Patulin
Correct Answer: Ergotamine
Q27. Which genus includes major opportunistic pathogens producing septate hyphae with acute-angle branching?
- Rhizopus
- Aspergillus
- Candida
- Penicillium
Correct Answer: Aspergillus
Q28. Flucytosine exerts antifungal activity by being converted into which antimetabolite?
- 5-fluorouracil
- 6-mercaptopurine
- 5-chloro-2-deoxyuridine
- 6-thioguanine
Correct Answer: 5-fluorouracil
Q29. Which taxonomic rank is broader: genus or family?
- Genus
- Family
- Species
- Order
Correct Answer: Family
Q30. Which diagnostic method is rapid for detecting superficial fungal elements in hair and skin?
- KOH mount
- Blood culture
- PCR only
- Latex agglutination
Correct Answer: KOH mount
Q31. Which organism is a major cause of invasive candidiasis in hospitalized patients?
- Candida albicans
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Aspergillus flavus
- Microsporum gypseum
Correct Answer: Candida albicans
Q32. Which fungal pigment-producing genus can spoil food and produce mycotoxins?
- Penicillium
- Trichophyton
- Cryptococcus
- Pneumocystis
Correct Answer: Penicillium
Q33. Which lab marker is considered a panfungal marker (but not specific) for invasive fungal infection?
- Galactomannan
- β-D-glucan
- Cryptococcal antigen
- ASO titer
Correct Answer: β-D-glucan
Q34. Which feature helps distinguish Candida from Cryptococcus microscopically?
- Polysaccharide capsule
- Septate hyphae
- Zygospore formation
- Spore forming arthroconidia
Correct Answer: Polysaccharide capsule
Q35. Which dermatophyte genus typically invades hair, skin and nails?
- Trichophyton
- Aspergillus
- Mucor
- Histoplasma
Correct Answer: Trichophyton
Q36. Which antifungal class can cause cytochrome P450–mediated drug interactions?
- Polyenes
- Azoles
- Echinocandins
- Allylamines
Correct Answer: Azoles
Q37. Which spore type is produced inside a sac-like structure called an ascus?
- Basidiospore
- Ascospore
- Sporangiospore
- Zygospore
Correct Answer: Ascospore
Q38. Which fungus is commonly associated with inhalation of spores from bird droppings and causes meningitis in immunocompromised hosts?
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Coccidioides immitis
Correct Answer: Cryptococcus neoformans
Q39. Which antifungal is fungistatic against dermatophytes and fungicidal against many yeasts by targeting microtubules?
- Griseofulvin
- Terbinafine
- Fluconazole
- Amphotericin B
Correct Answer: Griseofulvin
Q40. In fungal nomenclature, the binomial name includes which two ranks?
- Family and genus
- Genus and species
- Order and family
- Class and order
Correct Answer: Genus and species
Q41. Which environmental niche do many saprophytic fungi occupy?
- Living animal tissues only
- Decomposing organic matter
- Sterile indoor air exclusively
- Plant vascular systems only
Correct Answer: Decomposing organic matter
Q42. Which antifungal inhibits squalene epoxidase and is used for dermatophyte infections?
- Terbinafine
- Flucytosine
- Amphotericin B
- Voriconazole
Correct Answer: Terbinafine
Q43. Which laboratory technique identifies fungal DNA for precise species identification?
- Culture color assessment only
- PCR and sequencing
- Germ tube test
- India ink preparation
Correct Answer: PCR and sequencing
Q44. Which organism causes mucormycosis, a rapidly progressive invasive infection?
- Aspergillus terreus
- Rhizopus species
- Candida glabrata
- Trichophyton rubrum
Correct Answer: Rhizopus species
Q45. Which fungal structure is produced asexually and often aids airborne dispersal?
- Ascus
- Conidium
- Zygospore
- Basidium
Correct Answer: Conidium
Q46. Which genus is dimorphic and causes systemic disease after inhalation of microconidia, notably in immunocompromised patients?
- Candida
- Aspergillus
- Histoplasma
- Microsporum
Correct Answer: Histoplasma
Q47. Which fungal secondary metabolite is a hepatocarcinogen produced by Aspergillus flavus?
- Ergosterol
- Aflatoxin
- Penicillin G
- Siderophore
Correct Answer: Aflatoxin
Q48. Which of the following cell components is unique to fungi compared to mammalian cells and is exploited in antifungal therapy?
- Cholesterol in membrane
- Ergosterol in membrane
- Peptidoglycan cell wall
- Lipopolysaccharide outer membrane
Correct Answer: Ergosterol in membrane
Q49. In fungal taxonomy, molecular phylogenetics often uses which genetic marker for species-level identification?
- 16S rRNA gene
- Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region
- Cyt b gene only
- COI barcoding gene
Correct Answer: Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region
Q50. Which preventive measure helps reduce risk of mold exposure and related fungal infections in immunocompromised patients?
- Increased indoor humidity
- Construction near ventilation intake with HEPA filtration and air control
- Avoiding all fresh fruits only
- Only using soap and water handwash
Correct Answer: Construction near ventilation intake with HEPA filtration and air control
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