The Structure That People Typically Refer to as a "Mushroom

Question

The structure that people typically refer to as a "mushroom" is technically called the ____.  
A) basidiocarp
B) mycelium
C) ascocarp
D) hyphal mass
E) zygospore

Accepted Answer

The structure commonly referred to as a "mushroom" is the reproductive structure of fungi in the phylum Basidiomycota. This structure is technically called the basidiocarp. The mycelium refers to the vegetative body of the fungus, while ascocarps are the reproductive structures of fungi in the phylum Ascomycota. Hyphal mass and zygospore are not specific structures or terms used to describe mushrooms.