Practice question

Most fungal life cycles are haplontic with predominant stage haploid performing growth, foraging and ecological functions. Vegetative mycelium, which performs nutrient absorption and colonization, carries haploid nuclei throughout except transient diploid zygote. Diploid phase restricted to fleeting zygote formed after karyogamy within ascus, basidium or zygosporangium, immediately undergoing meiosis to regenerate haploid spores ensuring genetic diversity. No alternation favoring diploid dominance as in animals or diplontic algae. Triploid and tetraploid uncommon except lab-induced heterokaryosis. Haploid dominance facilitates rapid expression of beneficial mutations and adaptation.