Question

What do the terms phycobiont and mycobiont signify?

Answer 1

Hint: Both of these are found in a symbiotic relationship in which Algae prepare food for Fungi because of the presence of chlorophyll while the fungus gives shelter to algae and absorbs nutrients and water from the soil.

Complete Answer:
- Lichens are the symbiotic association of blue-green algae and fungi. The fungus absorbs water and mineral matter and supplies it to the algae which, in turn, prepares food and supplies it to the fungus. Phycobiont is the algal component of lichen and mycobiont is the fungal component.
- The fungus absorbs water and mineral matter and supplies it to the algae which, in turn, prepares food and supplies it to the fungus. Phycobiont is the algal component of lichen and mycobiont is the fungal component.

Additional information:
Lichen is actually two organisms functioning as a single, stable unit. Lichens comprise a fungus living in a symbiotic relationship with an alga or cyanobacterium where fungi are incapable of photosynthesis because they lack the green pigment chlorophyll. On the other hand, algae and cyanobacteria can conduct photosynthesis, similar to plants.

Note: Association between phycobiont and mycobiont are present in lichen. Mycobiont performs minerals and nutrients absorption for algae, which is its partner. While phycobiont supports in production food by the process of photosynthesis. Thus, it provides food to fungi.