Mold Biology & Ecology Flashcards
7 cards from real CMI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Mold Biology & Ecology flashcards as text
Which mold genus is most commonly found in outdoor air samples and serves as the primary reference for background environmental mold levels?
Answer: Cladosporium
Cladosporium is one of the most abundant outdoor molds worldwide and consistently dominates background air samples, making it the standard benchmark for comparing indoor-to-outdoor spore concentrations.
What broad temperature range can most indoor mold species tolerate and grow within?
Answer: 40°F–100°F (4°C–38°C)
Most indoor molds are mesophilic and can grow across a wide range of approximately 40°F to 100°F (4°C–38°C), which encompasses virtually all indoor and temperate outdoor temperatures.
Which mold genus is the biological source of the antibiotic penicillin and is also frequently isolated from water-damaged building materials?
Answer: Penicillium
Penicillium species produce penicillin and are also common colonizers of water-damaged insulation, paper, and food products, producing a distinctive blue-green color and musty odor.
What are asexual spores produced externally on mold hyphae or conidiophores called?
Answer: Conidia
Conidia (singular: conidium) are asexually produced spores formed on the exterior of specialized hyphae called conidiophores and are the most common type of spore encountered in mold air and surface sampling.
Which single environmental condition is the most critical factor promoting mold growth on building materials?
Answer: Persistent moisture or water intrusion
Persistent moisture or water intrusion is the single most critical factor for mold growth, which is why all remediation guidance — including the EPA's — mandates eliminating the moisture source before addressing mold.
What is 'hyphal fragmentation' in the context of mold biology?
Answer: Hyphae breaking into individual cells that can spread and establish new colonies
Hyphal fragmentation occurs when mycelium breaks into individual cells called arthrospores or hyphal fragments, each capable of dispersing and establishing a new mold colony independent of spore production.
Which life cycle stage describes when a mold spore begins to grow after landing on a suitable substrate?
Answer: Germination
Germination is the stage at which a mold spore activates and extends an initial hyphal tube called a germ tube when conditions of moisture, temperature, and nutrient availability are adequate.