Why lichens can play the role of indicators of air purity.
1. Why lichens can play the role of indicators of air purity. 2. What functions do fungus and algae perform in the body of a lichen? 3. Why is lichen called symbiosis. 4. Why lichens can live in the most barren places.
1. Lichens are unpretentious, but sensitive to air pollution. They die quickly in the presence of poisonous fumes and gases.
2. The fungus absorbs water and salts dissolved in it, and organic matter is formed from them in algae by photosynthesis.
3. Symbiosis – a mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms. Mushrooms are heterotrophs, that is, they can only eat ready-made organic substances. They are produced by autotrophic algae. In turn, the fungus is a source of water and minerals for the algae.
4. Lichens are able to absorb moisture from dew, snow, rain, fog by their entire surface, so their existence does not depend on the proximity of water.