What are the Oomycota?
Q: What are the Oomycota?
A: The Oomycota are a class of eukaryotic microorganisms in the phylum heterokonts.
Q: Are Oomycetes fungi?
A: No, Oomycetes are a distinct phylogenetic line of fungus-like microorganisms, but not fungi.
Q: What are some similarities between fungi and Oomycetes?
A: Both fungi and Oomycetes are saprophytic and pathogenic and rarely have septa.
Q: How do Oomycetes reproduce?
A: Oomycetes reproduce both sexually and asexually.
Q: What types of diseases do Oomycetes cause?
A: Oomycetes are some of the most prolific pathogens of plants, causing devastating diseases such as potato blight and sudden oak death.
Q: Why are Oomycetes often referred to as water moulds?
A: Oomycetes are often referred to as water moulds because of their water-loving nature, but this is not true of most species, which are actually terrestrial pathogens.
Q: Do all species of Oomycetes live in water?
A: No, although Oomycetes are often referred to as water moulds, most species are actually terrestrial pathogens and do not require water to survive.
