Question

Which of the following statements is wrong about lichens?

• A. Some species are eaten by reindeers.
• B. Lichens are indicators of pollution.
• C. They grow rapidly about 2 cms per day.
• D. They show symbiotic relationship between alga and fungus.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

They grow rapidly about 2 cms per day.

Lichens grow extremely slowly often less than a millimeter per year. Anyone thallus may be many decades old. The outer edge is probably the only active component of the thallus unless the lichen has started to overgrow itself. The inner part is commonly inactive. The slow rate of growth and the reliance on minerals in rain or high humidity has consequences for the survival of lichens in polluted environments and some lichens are thought to be among the oldest living things on Earth.