What happens when decay fungi spores attack wood?

When decay fungi spores attack wood, they begin to break down the cellulose and lignin in the wood fibers, which leads to the degradation of the wood's structural integrity. As these fungi grow, they often produce fruiting bodies, which are the reproductive structures that release additional spores into the environment. This process is essential for the spread of the fungus, allowing it to colonize new areas of wood.

The production of fruiting bodies is a natural part of the fungi's life cycle, and this ability to reproduce and disperse is a key characteristic of decay fungi. The primary goal of this reproductive strategy is to ensure the continuation of the species and to find new substrates to colonize, which is why this option is accurate.

The other options, while they might reflect aspects of fungal activity in some cases, do not apply specifically to what happens when decay fungi attack wood. For instance, while lignin breakdown might lead to color changes, this is not the primary mechanism involved in decay fungi's interaction with wood. Strengthening the wood structure or creating protective barriers would contradict the fundamental nature of decay fungi, which is to decompose and weaken the wood material.