Question

"Although most fungi are saprophytic and lichens are classified by their fungal component, why aren't lichens considered saprophytic? Choose all that apply."

A) The algal component contributes food from photosynthesis.


B) The algal partner is living.


C) The algal partner is being parasitized by the fungus.


D) The algal partner is free to leave at any time.


E) The fungal partner can survive without the algal partner.


F) The algal partner is harmed by the fungus.

Answer 1

Lichens are considered a controlled parasitism rather than saprophytic because the algal partner contributes food from photosynthesis and is harmed by the fungus.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lichens are considered a controlled parasitism rather than saprophytic. This is because the algal partner contributes food from photosynthesis, the algal partner is living, and the algal partner is harmed by the fungus. The fungal partner can survive without the algal partner, and the algal partner is not free to leave at any time.