Question

Lichens look like moss. But they’re actually two organisms—usually fungi and algae—that live together in a mutualistic relationship. The fungi provide a sheltered place for the algae to grow and reproduce. What do you think the algae offer that the fungi can’t do?

Answer 1

A lichen results from a relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism, which is based on mutualism. Algae is one of the photosynthetic organisms, and it can provide a constant supply of food to the fungus. The fungi provide a sheltered place for the algae to grow and reproduce.

Answer 2

The algae increase the autotrophy by offering photosynthesis to the fungi in the lichen organism.

A lichen is an organism consisting of a symbiotic association between a fungus (the mycobiont) and algae. The mushroom brings water and mineral salts. The alga produces, by photosynthesis, various organic compounds of which it gives a part to the mushroom.