Thus, the lichen is able to exploit habitats that few other organisms are able to utilize and must be the result of a mutualistic, symbiotic relationship. Lichens are sensitive to atmospheric pollution. The two components are permanently associated with each other to form a lichen- body. The other organism is usually a cyanobacterium or green alga. Explain the symbiotic relationship in lichens. Reproduction. The relationship is symbiotic. Lichens were also some of the first land-dwelling organisms, suggesting that a communal effort helped life make the ocean-to-land leap. Introduction to Lichens 2. The fungus grows around the bacterial or algal cells. A lichen is a symbiotic association of an alga and a fungus--mutualism. In return the fungi protects the algae from drying in sunlight by enclosing it inside. A lichen is a symbiosis. Explain the symbiotic relationship between the algae and the fungi in lichen. 2 See answers raechall raechall Answer: In symbiotic relationship of lichen the fungus and the algae lives in a relationship. Symbiotic Association of Lichens 3. Whereas algae normally grow only in aquatic or extremely moist environments, lichens can potentially be found on almost any surface (especially rocks) or as epiphytes (meaning that they grow on other plants). Weegy: Lichens represent a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi. Introduction to Lichens: Lichens are composite organisms consisting invariably of a fungus and an alga or a cyanobacterium. A lichen is a combination of two organisms, a green alga or cyanobacterium and fungus, living in a symbiotic relationship. These forests are found in the cold nutrient-rich water off the coast of California. The symbiotic realtionship in lichens is that of a fungus and an algae or a fungus and a cyanobacteria. The algal component of a lichen is known as phycobiont and the fungal component is called mycobiont. A lichen is a long-living composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria (or both) living among filaments of a fungus in a mutually beneficial relationship (symbiotic relationship). The discovery that specific yeasts act as third symbiotic partners in lichens began with an investigation into why two lichen species seemed genetically identical but had distinctive attributes. A. Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a mycobiont (fungal partner) and photobiont (green algae or cyanobacteria). Lichens result from the symbiotic union between fungi and algae or fungi and cyanobacteria. Scientists think that a symbiotic relationship such as this may have allowed plants to first colonize the land. The algae contains the green pigment called chlorophyll which helps the algae to produce food which is being provided to the fungi too. They provide each other suitable condition to live. One reason that they are able to do survive in such harsh environment is that many lichen species can become dormant. B. Mycobiont: primary mycobiont are mainly Ascomycota, with a few Basidiomycota; recent evidence suggests that Basidiomycota might be a second partner C. Lichens come in different forms - hairlike, crustose, foliose, fructicose, clubby. An example is lichens where a symbiotic relation exists between the alga and fungus. Ed Reschke /Oxford Scientific/Getty Images. A lichen is an organism that results from a mutualistic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism. That means that it is two or more organisms living together such that both are more successful within the partnership than they would have been if … This species is very common and grows on bark of all kinds of trees in partial shade or sun. User: Kelp are multicellular photosynthetic protists that make up kelp forests. Symbiotic relationships, where very different species collaborate for mutual benefit, are a hugely important feature of ecology.