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?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) All four ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi and show a remarkable range of chemistry.
• Medicinal: shiitake, reishi and Cordyceps are used in traditional medicine and modern research for immune and anti-tumour compounds — statement 1 is correct.
• Psychoactive: Psilocybe 'magic mushrooms' contain psilocybin, now being trialled for depression — statement 2 is correct.
• Insecticidal: some fungi and mushrooms (e.g. fly agaric, whose name comes from its use to kill flies, and entomopathogenic species) have insecticidal properties — statement 3 is correct; and bioluminescent species such as Mycena and the ghost fungus glow in the dark — statement 4 is correct.
• Hence all four, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Only one
- All four properties occur among mushrooms.
- (b) Only two
- Insecticidal and bioluminescent mushrooms also exist.
- (c) Only three
- All four statements are correct, not three.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.