Question

Phycobiont and mycobiont together constitute
A. Phycomycetes
B. Lichens
C. Phycobilins
D. Mycorrhiza

Answer 1

The phycobiont and mycobiont show symbiosis or you can say they have symbiotic relationship as they are benefiting each other. Both the components are equally important.

Complete answer:
First we have to know what Phycobiont and Mycobiont are. Phycobiont is the algal component of lichens and Mycobiont is the fungal component of lichens. Lichen is not a single organism, it cannot be formed without both Phycobiont and Mycobiont or we can say it is formed from both algal and fungal components. Both the algal and fungal components have a symbiotic relationship with each other which means that both the components are benefiting each other. In the case of Lichens, the algal component (Phycobiont) has chlorophyll and therefore it prepares food for the fungi whereas the fungal component(Mycobiont) provides shelter to the algae as algae lives on the filaments of fungi and it also helps in absorbing the water and the nutrients from the soil. Since both the Phycobiont and the Mycobiont are in symbiotic relationship so they together constitute lichens.

Thus, the right answer is option B. i.e., Lichens.

Additional information:
Lichens sometimes look like plants but we cannot say that lichens are plants. Lichens can be of different colour and of different forms like leaf like, branched. It can be seen on trees, shrubs, walls, rocks etc. The estimated percentage of lichens found on earth's land is 6%.

Note: Lichens arises from a mutual relationship i.e., Symbiotic relationship between Phycobiont which is the algal component and Mycobiont which is the fungal component. We can say lichens are formed from algae living among filaments of fungi. Without this relationship lichens cannot be formed.