Come On Out Al...We've Got You Surrounded!

            Lichens are very interesting organisms. They consist of a fungus living in a symbiotic relationship with a partner that produces food for it by photosynthesis.( A symbiotic relationship is one where two species live together in a permanent or long lasting relationship with beneficial or harmful consequences for at least one of the partners.)That food making partner in the lichen's case  is usually an algae [hence the Al in the title :-) ] or cyanobacteria. This symbiotic relationship is considered absolutely necessary for the growth and reproduction of the fungus but the significence of the relationship for the algae is not as clearly understood. Indeed, there are a number of symbiotic relationships:
1.Mutualism, where both members benefit and neither
   suffers.
2.Commensalism, where one member gains some  
    benefit, whille the other suffers no serious disadvantage.
3.Parasitism, in which one member benefits while the other is
   harmed.
4.Amensalism, in which the association is 
   disadvantageous to one member while the other is not 
   affected.
5.Neutralism, where both organisms are unaffected.
6.Competition, where both organisms are harmed.
Of course, when the fungus surrounds the algae, it is on a cellular level. However, in the case of this Lichen, I found it interesting that it was symbolized quite well by how the outside lichen surrounds the inner one.
Also worth considering, I wonder if we would consider man's relationship with this living earth a symbiotic relationship....and if so, which of the above types would it be?

Large is definitely best.
   

Taken on: April 29, 2007

Tags:

Lichen

Green

Algae

Photosynthesis

Symbiosis

Cyanobacteria

Flourescent Green

Western Newfoundland « less

Sets appears in: • Moss and Lichens

Groups appears in: • Newfoundland and Labrador • Lichen more » • Moss and Lichen • Newfoundland & Labrador PHOTOGRAPHERS (Add 2 / Comment on 1) « less

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