Which of the following fungi belonging to Ascomycetes is extensively used in biochemical and genetic research?
According to the NCERT Biological Classification chapter, several members of Ascomycetes have massive economic or scientific importance. While Claviceps and Aspergillus are notable, 'Neurospora' is explicitly highlighted as being utilized extensively and heavily in fundamental biochemical and genetic work. It served as the primary model organism that helped scientists decipher fundamental genetic pathways and the one-gene-one-enzyme hypothesis in early biology.
Ref: NCERT Class 11 Biology > Chapter 2: Biological Classification > 2.3 Kingdom Fungi