Mushrooms Quiz – Printable Version

Answer key — Mushrooms Quiz

1. B. By sporesFungi release microscopic spores, often from the gills or pores under the cap, which are dispersed by wind, water or animals to form new mycelium networks.
2. B. The death capThe death cap (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for the vast majority of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide; its toxins (amatoxins) destroy the liver, and symptoms often don't appear until several hours after ingestion.
3. B. The fly agaricThe fly agaric, with its bright red cap spotted with white, is one of the most recognisable mushrooms in the world; its name comes from its old use as an insecticide, soaked in milk to kill flies.
4. C. AutumnAutumn, with its humidity and still-mild temperatures, offers ideal conditions for most mushrooms to fruit, although some species like the morel grow mainly in spring.
5. A. Penicillium notatumAlexander Fleming noticed that a mould of the Penicillium notatum genus, which had accidentally grown on one of his bacterial cultures, was preventing bacterial growth around it, leading to the discovery of the first antibiotic.
6. A. Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)Baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a microscopic single-celled fungus that converts sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide through fermentation, a process essential in baking and brewing.
7. A. The shiitakeThe shiitake, traditionally grown on oak logs in Japan, is today one of the most widely consumed cultivated mushrooms in the world and is the subject of research into its bioactive compounds.
8. A. The oyster mushroomThe oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) grows naturally in clusters on the trunks of deciduous trees and is now widely cultivated around the world, particularly in Asia, for its tender texture and ease of cultivation.
9. C. Several millionScientists estimate there could be between 2 and 4 million fungal species on Earth, while only about 150,000 have been formally described so far, making it a largely underexplored kingdom.
10. B. To protect and help disperse sporesThe cap protects the gills, tubes or spines underneath, which carry the spores; its shape (sometimes umbrella-like) also helps optimally disperse them by wind once released.
11. B. Périgord (Dordogne)Périgord, in the Dordogne department, gave its name to the famous black truffle (Tuber melanosporum), even though it is now also harvested in other regions such as Vaucluse or Lot.
12. A. The panther capThe panther cap, dangerously toxic, is sometimes mistaken for edible amanitas because of its greyish-brown cap dotted with white flecks, vaguely recalling a more muted fly agaric.
13. A. RacletteRaclette, a convivial meal built around melted cheese, is often served with a variety of sides such as cold cuts, potatoes and sometimes pan-fried mushrooms — a tasty nod between our two new categories.
14. A. The button mushroomUnlike the death cap, the button mushroom never has a volva (a sac-like structure) at the base of the stem, which is why it's essential to always uncover the full base of the stem before cutting a white button-shaped mushroom.
15. A. The chanterelleThe true chanterelle has thick, forked ridges under the cap, while the false chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca) has thin, crowded true gills; the latter isn't deadly but can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms.
16. A. Honey fungusThe funeral bell contains the same amatoxins as the death cap and, like honey fungus, grows on dead wood or stumps, making this one of the most dangerous confusions to be found in the forest.
17. A. The field mushroomUnlike the field mushroom, the destroying angel keeps gills that stay white throughout and has a volva at the base of the stem; entirely white and fearsomely toxic, it fully lives up to its ominous nickname.
18. A. Death capThe death cap, nicknamed 'the cup of death', is responsible for 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings in Europe.
19. A. The first symptoms only appear 6 to 24 hours after the mealThis long delay makes it look like simple indigestion, while the amatoxins, which survive cooking, are already destroying the liver.
20. A. The "Wood Wide Web"This pun on the "World Wide Web" refers to the mycorrhizal network: through the mycelium, trees that may be far apart exchange sugars, water and even warning signals.