2004 AIPMT Biological ClassificationLichens Easy Question 4 of 4 in Lichens

Lichens are well known combination of an alga and a fungus where fungus has :-

A An epiphytic relationship with the alga
B A parasitic relationship with the alga
C A symbiotic relationship with the alga
D A saprophytic relationship with the alga

The answer is C.

Solution

A lichen is a symbiotic association (mutualism) between an alga (phycobiont) and a fungus (mycobiont).
The algal partner is autotrophic and prepares food by photosynthesis for both.
The fungal partner provides shelter, absorbs water and minerals and protects the alga from drying.
Both partners benefit, and they are so closely associated that the lichen looks like a single organism.
So in a lichen the fungus has a symbiotic relationship with the alga. (Lichens are good indicators of air pollution, as they do not grow in polluted areas.)

Concept Mutualism in lichens

Lichens in past papers

4 questions from this chapter have appeared across 4 exam years.