UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

Consider the following statements

1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
2. Some mushrooms have psycho-active properties.
3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
4. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.
   
   

How many of the above statements are correct?

Explanation:

• Mushrooms act as antibacterial, immune system enhancer and cholesterol lowering agents; additionally, they are important sources of bioactive compounds. As a result of these properties, some mushroom extracts are used to promote human health and are found as dietary supplements. So, statement 1 is correct.
  
  
• Psychedelic mushrooms are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. So, statement 2 is correct.
   
• Recently, an increasing number of mushrooms have been found to contain insecticidal compounds. Among these are species ofLactarius (Russulaceae), which react to wounding by exuding a milky fluid and/or color change reactions, which could be a warning reaction. So, statement 3 is correct.
  
  
• A mushroom documentation project in the forests of Northeast India has revealed a bioluminescent — or light emitting — variety of mushroom. The new species — named Roridomyces phyllostachydis — was first sighted on a wet August night near a stream in Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong in East Khasi Hills district and later at Krang Shuri in West Jaintia Hills district. It is now one among the 97 known species of bioluminescent fungi in the world. So, statement 4 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Biodiversity and Conservation