Your favorite tree is dying, and you find that there is a fungal infection on its leaves. If you were to look at the cells of the infected leaves of your tree, which structure(s) would you expect to find?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Haustoria are specialized structures formed by some parasitic fungi, which they use to penetrate and extract nutrients from the cells of their host plants. In the context of a fungal infection on tree leaves, finding haustoria within the cells of the infected leaves would be expected, as these structures facilitate the parasitic relationship between the fungus and the plant. Mycorrhizae and arbuscules, on the other hand, are involved in mutualistic relationships between fungi and plants, not parasitic infections.

Your Favorite Tree Is Dying, and You Find That There