Question
These insects clean each other's exoskeletons to reduce the risk of infection by the fungus Ophiocordyceps (oh-fee-oh-CORD-ee-seps) unilateralis, which causes these insects to latch onto the underside of a leaf and die to facilitate spore dispersal. For 10 points each:
[10e] Name these insects. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis turns these eusocial insects of the family Formicidae into "zombies," controlling them to help disperse spores.
ANSWER: ants [or zombie-ant fungus]
[10h] Cordyceps controls its host in part using cordycepin, a "3-prime deoxy" analog of this hormone that some enzymes, such as its "A1 receptor," cannot distinguish. This nucleoside hormone promotes sleepiness.
ANSWER: adenosine [do not accept "adenine"]
[10m] Cordyceps belongs to this phylum of fungi, whose namesake sac-like fruiting bodies are contrasted with basidia. The model organisms Saccharomyces and Neurospora belong to this phylum.
ANSWER: Ascomycota [or ascomycetes; prompt on ascocarps]
<June Yin , Science - Biology - Organisms>
Summary
| 2023 NASAT | 06/17/2023 | Y | 9 | 13.33 | 100% | 33% | 0% |
Data
| Missouri A | Asia B | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| California | Ohio | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Pennsylvania | Illinois Orange | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Illinois White | Kentucky B | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Virginia | Liberia | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Maryland Red | Arkansas | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Missouri B | Asia A | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Maryland Gold | New Jersey A | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Illinois Blue | New Jersey B | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |