Which Plant-Fungal Symbionts Exchange Nutrients with Their Host Plant MOST

Question

Which plant-fungal symbionts exchange nutrients with their host plant MOST efficiently?
A)ectomycorrhizal symbionts
B)endomycorrhizal symbionts
C)endophytic symbionts

Accepted Answer

Endomycorrhizal symbionts have the highest efficiency in exchanging nutrients with their host plant. This is because the fungal hyphae of endomycorrhizal symbionts penetrate the root cells of the host plant, creating an intimate connection between the plant and the fungus. This allows for a more direct exchange of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, between the two organisms. Ectomycorrhizal symbionts form a sheath around the root, increasing the surface area for nutrient exchange but not penetrating the root. Endophytic symbionts live within plant tissues but do not necessarily exchange nutrients with the plant.