Question

Lichen is usually cited as an example of symbiosis in plants where an algal and fungal species live together for their mutual benefit. Which of the following will happen if algal and fungal partners are separated from each other in laboratory conditions?

• A. Both will survive and grow normally and independent from each other.
• B. Both will die.
• C. Algal component will survive while the fungal component will die.
• D. Fungal component will survive while the algal component will die.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Algal component will survive while the fungal component will die.

Algae are green photosynthetic organisms. They are autotropic as they perform the process of photosynthesis to prepare their own food. Lichens cannot prepare their own as they are non-photosynthetic. So, inn absence of lichens , algae can survive as they can prepare their own food. But lichens will starve and ultimately die.

So, option C is the correct answer.