Biology / Unit 9 Bio 2055 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Lichens
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The idea
A lichen is a mutualistic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually an alga or cyanobacterium; the fungal partner cannot live independently in nature.
In practice
A lichen's fungal partner supplies minerals and protection from drying, while its photosynthetic partner supplies carbon from photosynthesis.
Where people slip
The alga or cyanobacterium survives free-living elsewhere — it is the fungus's obligate form, not necessarily the photobiont's.
Your place on the trail
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