Practice Test Geeks(CMA) Certified Mold Assessor Practice Test
← All CMA Flashcard Decks

Mold Identification & Types Flashcards

7 cards from real CMA 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 Identification & Types flashcards as text

  1. A mold assessor collects an air sample and the lab report shows a high count of Basidiospores. What does this most likely indicate?

    Answer: Elevated outdoor fungal activity from mushrooms or bracket fungi

    Basidiospores originate primarily from outdoor sources such as mushrooms, bracket fungi, and rusts, and elevated counts typically reflect outdoor air infiltration.

  2. Which mold species produces trichothecene mycotoxins and is most associated with sick building syndrome claims?

    Answer: Stachybotrys chartarum

    Stachybotrys chartarum is known for producing trichothecene mycotoxins, which have been linked to sick building syndrome in heavily contaminated environments.

  3. What does the term 'hyphal fragments' refer to on a mold spore trap report?

    Answer: Broken pieces of mold filaments that can carry allergens and mycotoxins

    Hyphal fragments are broken pieces of mold filaments that become airborne, can carry allergens and mycotoxins, and indicate active or disturbed mold growth.

  4. Which genus produces large, round, dark brown-to-black sclerotia and is commonly found on decaying wood and soil?

    Answer: Sclerotinia

    Sclerotinia species produce characteristic sclerotia (hard, dark resting bodies) and are primarily plant pathogens found in soil and decaying organic matter.

  5. In the context of indoor mold assessment, what does 'ERMI' stand for?

    Answer: Environmental Relative Moldiness Index

    ERMI stands for Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, a DNA-based dust analysis tool developed by the EPA to assess indoor mold contamination.

  6. Memnoniella echinata is closely related to which notorious indoor mold and is sometimes found alongside it?

    Answer: Stachybotrys chartarum

    Memnoniella echinata is closely related to Stachybotrys chartarum, shares similar substrate preferences, and may also produce trichothecene mycotoxins.

  7. What characteristic spore arrangement does Cladosporium display that aids in its microscopic identification?

    Answer: Chains of conidia arising from branching conidiophores

    Cladosporium produces branching chains of conidia (blastoconidia) from its conidiophores, a key identifying feature under microscopy.