Question

what is lichens ? what are its characteristics

Answer 1

Lichens are a small group of plants of composite nature, consisting of two dissimilar organisms, an alga-phycobiont (phycos — alga; bios — life) and a fungus-mycobiont (mykes — fungus; bios — life); living in a symbiotic asso­ciation.

Generally the fungal partner occupies the major portion of the thallus and produces its own reproductive structures. The algal partner manufactures the food through photosynthesis which probably diffuses out and is absorbed by the fungal partner.

The algal partner-produced carbohydrate through photosynthesis is utilised by both of them and the fungal partner serves the func­tion of absorption and retention of water.

Answer 2

• ⏩Lichens grow as the slow-growing coloured patches on rocks, bark of tree trunks, and even on the ground. They are very hardy.

• ⏩In lichens blue green algae or cynobacteria and fungi live in symbiosis (mutualism), i.e., they coexist for mutual benefit.

• ⏩The algal component of the lichen is known as phycobiont are the fungal component as mycobiont.

• ⏩The fungus absorbs water and minerals matter and supplies it to algae algae intern prepare food and supplies it to the fungus.

• ⏩for example,

Cruise lichens (Rhizocarbon, Graphic); foliose lichen(Parmelia, Collema), fruticose lichens(Alectoria, Usnea).

(Refer to the above attachment)

(Refer to the above attachment)❤I hope it will help you ❤