Question 43 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Environme nt

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
2. Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties.
3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
4. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.
How many of the above statements are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. All four

Strategy: Assess each property related to mushrooms' physiological and ecological attributes. Medicinal, psychoactive, insecticidal, and bioluminescent characteristics are all well-established across various mushroom species, confirming the truth of all four statements.

Key Info: Mushrooms, a type of fungi, exhibit a wide spectrum of properties due to biochemical diversity:

**Medicinal Properties**
Many mushroom species such as *Ganoderma lucidum* (Reishi), *Lentinula edodes* (Shiitake), and *Pleurotus ostreatus* (Oyster mushroom) are renowned for medicinal properties, including immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and anticancer effects. Polysaccharides like beta-glucans are key bioactive compounds.

**Psychoactive Properties**
Certain mushrooms, most notably species in the *Psilocybe* genus ('magic mushrooms'), contain compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, which act on the central nervous system to produce hallucinogenic effects. These mushrooms are traditionally used in religious and spiritual practices and have been the subject of contemporary research into psychiatric treatments.

**Insecticidal Properties**
Some mushrooms, such as species in the genera *Lactarius* and *Pleurotus*, produce toxins or metabolites with insecticidal effects. These bioactive substances may deter or kill insects, and in some cases, fungi are studied for their potential use in biological pest control. Others, like *Cordyceps*, parasitize insects directly.

**Bioluminescent Properties**
Roughly 80 species of fungi exhibit bioluminescence, found in genera such as *Armillaria*, *Mycena*, and *Panellus*. These mushrooms emit visible light through a luciferin-luciferase biochemical reaction. The most famous example is *Panellus stipticus*. The evolutionary function may include attracting insects to disperse spores.

Mushrooms thus serve important roles in medicine, ecology, pest management, and even have unique features like natural light emission.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Only one

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Only two

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Only three

Consider the following statements: Some mushrooms have medicinal properties. Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties. How many of the above statements are correct?

Consider the following statements:

Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.

Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties.

Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.

Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.
How many of the above statements are correct?