Question

Which statement is NOT TRUE about lichens?A. They can reproduce by fragmentationB. They make the environment more alkalineC. They contribute to soil formation.D. They are often the first colonists in a new area

Answer 1

Lichens are a group of plants, formed mainly by the association of algae and fungi.

Primarily the fungal part occupies the larger portion of lichens and produces its own reproductive structures.

The algal part however manufactures the food using the basic process of plants i.e. photosynthesis which probably diffuses out and is absorbed by the fungal partner. Hence lichen is autotrophic.

Most of the lichens consist of green algae and ascomycetes living in symbiosis