Question

Lichens show symbiotic relationships between

• A. Fungus and roots of higher plants
• B. Fungus and alga
• C. Two fungi
• D. Two algae

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

A lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria (or both) living among filaments of a fungus in a symbiotic relationship. The combined life form has properties that are very different from the properties of its component organisms. The fungus benefits from the symbiotic relation because algae or cyanobacteria produce food by photosynthesis. The algae or cyanobacteria benefit by being protected from the environment by the filaments of the fungus, which also gather moisture and nutrients from the environment, and (usually) provide an anchor to it.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.