Which of the following statements regarding asexual reproductive structures in fungi and simple plants is/are TRUE? 1. Zoospores are flagellated motile spores produced inside a parent cell called zoosporangia. 2. Conidia are non-motile spores produced singly or in chains by constriction at the tip or lateraly on special hyphal branches called conidiophores 3. Gemmules are endogenous bud that are simply a copy of parent nucleus with a small amount of cytoplasm and a protective covering around Choose the correct answer from the Options given below:

Zoospores

• It is flagellated and motile spores are produced inside a parent cell called as zoosporangium. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• Spores are minuscule, motile, and asexual. For locomotion, they have flagella.
• An asexual spore with a flagellum (used for mobility) attached is referred to as a zoospore.

Conidia

• It is non-motile spores that are produced singly or in chains by constriction at the tip or laterally on special hyphal branches called conidiophores. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
• Conidia are also known as conidiospores, asexual chlamydospores, or chlamydoconidia. They are asexual, non-motile spores of a fungus.
• Conidia are produced exogenously, dispersed by wind, and germinate directly by giving out germ tubes.

Gemmules

• It is an endogenous (internal) bud formed by freshwater sponges during asexual reproduction i.e., simply a copy of the parent nucleus with a small amount of cytoplasm and a protective covering around it. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
• They are asexually produced masses of cells that can develop into a new organism, such as an adult sponge.
• During asexual reproduction, several buds called gemmules are formed and mature inside the parent body. Each gemmule is made up of a mass of undifferentiated archaeocytes surrounded by a protective coat of spicules.