Lichen
Overview
Lichens
are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic
organism composed of a fungus
(the mycobiont) with a photosynthetic
partner (the photobiont or phycobiont), usually either a green alga
(commonly Trebouxia
) or cyanobacterium (commonly Nostoc
). The morphology, physiology and biochemistry of lichens are very different from those of the isolated fungus and alga in culture.
are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
organism composed of a fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
(the mycobiont) with a photosynthetic
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in archaea. Photosynthetic organisms are called photoautotrophs, since they can...
partner (the photobiont or phycobiont), usually either a green alga
Green algae
The green algae are the large group of algae from which the embryophytes emerged. As such, they form a paraphyletic group, although the group including both green algae and embryophytes is monophyletic...
(commonly Trebouxia
Trebouxia
In taxonomy, Trebouxia is a genus of algae, specifically of the Microthamniales.-Scientific databases:* * *...
) or cyanobacterium (commonly Nostoc
Nostoc
Nostoc is a genus of cyanobacteria found in a variety of environmental niches that forms colonies composed of filaments of moniliform cells in a gelatinous sheath.The name "Nostoc" was invented by Paracelsus...
). The morphology, physiology and biochemistry of lichens are very different from those of the isolated fungus and alga in culture.
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