WST 355: Wood Pathology by Prof. Nana K. Frimpong Mensah

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What are the factors that affect the decay of wood?

Presence of nitrogen

Amount of carbon dioxide

Sunlight exposure

Acidity level (correct)

Which type of fungi causes undesirable changes like stains and molds in the sapwood?

Toxic fungi

Pathogenic fungi

Beneficial fungi

Decay fungi (correct)

What is the main requirement for wood decay fungi to grow?

Fibre saturation point (correct)

Presence of sunlight

Low temperature

High acidity level

In what conditions do wood members and species become degraded by decay fungi?

With lack of water and oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the term often used to describe the degrading activities of wood by biological agencies such as fungi, bacteria, insects, and marine borers?

Biodegradation Signup and view all the answers

Which part of forest trees do some wood decay fungi primarily attack?

Heartwood Signup and view all the answers

Which micro-organisms are primarily responsible for the progressive deterioration of wood and wood products through enzymatic activities?

Fungi Signup and view all the answers

What should wood decay fungi mainly depend on for growth in service conditions?

Adequate moisture Signup and view all the answers

Why are insects, marine borers, and other animals not considered causes of decay compared to fungi and bacteria?

Their impact is not quantitatively comparable to decay Signup and view all the answers

What is the best indicator of decay in wood that refers to the presence of soft, mushroom-shaped bodies or hard, hoof-shaped structures?

Fruiting structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the term that refers to the percentage loss of oven-dry weight after 12 weeks exposure to decay fungi?

Amount of Decay Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom of decay is related to the presence of zonation lines in wood?

Colour change Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of wood pathology?

Studying the factors causing wood degradation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor causing wood deterioration?

Parasitic higher plants Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'disease agents' refer to in the context of wood pathology?

Viruses, viroid, and prions Signup and view all the answers

How does timber react to invading organisms?

It deteriorates due to invasion Signup and view all the answers

What are some bio-agents that can cause wood deterioration, as mentioned in the text?

Protozoa and nematodes Signup and view all the answers

Which represents a key reason for studying physico-mechanical factors in wood pathology?

To understand their role in predisposing wood to deterioration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of wood that wood decay fungi target for decomposition?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the role of decay fungi in the forest ecosystem as stated in the text?

Influencing carbon recycling Signup and view all the answers

In the context of wood decay fungi, what is the significance of basidiomycetous fungi?

Being primarily responsible for white-rot of hardwoods Signup and view all the answers

How is decay generally observed to progress in living trees?

Inside-out Signup and view all the answers

Which group of fungi is mentioned as causing rapid white-rot of several hardwoods?

Ascomycetous fungi Signup and view all the answers

Why do wood-rotting fungi need to be specifically adapted to the complexity of organic substrates in wood?

Wood contains complex polymers like cellulose and hemicelluloses Signup and view all the answers