LICHEN
Lichen is a set of two organisms working as one. Lichens consist of a fungus living in a symbiotic relationship with algae or cyanobacterium. Since lichen are made of these two things, lichen can conduct photosynthesis as well as absorb nutrition from organic outside substances.
There are so many different types of lichen there is no complete classification, they can also be classified as either a plant or a fungus.
Lichen are very sensitive to disturbances in the environment. Therefore, lichen can be used to detect air pollution, ozone depletion, and metal contamination. They can also be used in making dyes, perfumes, and traditional medicines, and because there are so many kinds, some types of lichen are eaten by insects or larger animals, like reindeer.
Taxonomy
KINGDOM: Fungi , Plantae
PHYLUM: Ascomycota , Magnoliophyta
Lichen can be classified as either a fungi or plantae. Since there are so many different types of lichen it is hard to categorize them . In fact, Mycologists are now suggesting that instead of classifying lichens as a phylum, they will reclassify each individual lichen according to its fungal component.
About 20 different types of algae and cyanobacteria are involved in the lichen symbiosis, but they can also live independently.
There are so many different types of lichen there is no complete classification, they can also be classified as either a plant or a fungus.
Lichen are very sensitive to disturbances in the environment. Therefore, lichen can be used to detect air pollution, ozone depletion, and metal contamination. They can also be used in making dyes, perfumes, and traditional medicines, and because there are so many kinds, some types of lichen are eaten by insects or larger animals, like reindeer.
Taxonomy
KINGDOM: Fungi , Plantae
PHYLUM: Ascomycota , Magnoliophyta
Lichen can be classified as either a fungi or plantae. Since there are so many different types of lichen it is hard to categorize them . In fact, Mycologists are now suggesting that instead of classifying lichens as a phylum, they will reclassify each individual lichen according to its fungal component.
About 20 different types of algae and cyanobacteria are involved in the lichen symbiosis, but they can also live independently.