Which of the following best describes the structure of a mushroom that you observe above the ground
fruiting body
a type of lichen
mycelium
hypha

The right answer is Fruiting type

The sporophore (literally "spore carrier"), also called Fruitbodies, is the reproductive system of the so-called superior mushrooms. It is, in popular language, the organ of the "fructification" of the mushroom mycelium. It contains sporocysts (basid and asci) that differentiate in the hymenium and produce spores in various forms. It is present in the mushroom's cap.

The structure of mushroom present above the ground is known as a fruiting body or fruiting type.

Further explanation:

The fruiting bodies are the spore containing structures present in the fungi. These spores are later dispersed for the process of reproduction. The most common example of fungi containing a fruiting body is a mushroom. The tiny thread-like structure called hyphae makes up the fungi. These hyphae form a network of mycelium which spreads out into the soil in every direction. The mycelium then grows upwards towards the ground level and forms structures like cap, stalk, and gills.  

A cap and a stalk are the parts of a mushroom and the gills are the part where spores are produced. On ripening, the spores fall on the ground and move away with the flow of air. The spore that lands on the surface rich in nutrients results in the formation of a fungal colony. This colony needs to fuse with other colony corresponding to the same species in order to produce a new mushroom. Some other mushrooms have boletes instead of gills where spores are formed. The boletes are a spongy structure that contains large number of pores inside which spores are present.  

Mushrooms are used as a source of food in many countries. The most common mushroom which is found edible for eating is Agaricusbisporus as it is grown in a sterilized and controlled environment. Certain mushrooms are toxic in nature as they produce secondary metabolites.  

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Answer details:

Grade: Higher Secondary

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Fungi

Keywords:

Fungi, mushroom, fruiting body, mycelium, hyphae, stalk, cap, gills, boletes, spores, a fungal colony, secondary metabolites, toxic.