[Campbell Biology P.717] In a typical lichen symbiosis, what are the primary contributions o... | Practice Question

In a typical lichen symbiosis, what are the primary contributions of the fungal and photosynthetic partners?

  • A: The photosynthetic partner provides carbon compounds and, if cyanobacteria, fixes nitrogen.
  • B: The fungal partner primarily provides the overall shape, structure, and most of the lichen's mass.
  • C: The photosynthetic partner is responsible for detoxification of plant defensive compounds.
  • D: The fungal partner is exclusively an ascomycete and absorbs sunlight for energy.

Explanation

The text states, 'The alga or cyanobacterium provides carbon compounds; a cyanobacterium also fixes nitrogen' and 'The fungus usually gives a lichen its overall shape and structure, and tissues formed by hyphae account for most of the lichen's mass.'