Lichen is usually cited as an example of 'symbiosis' in plants where an algal and a fungal species live together for their mutual benefit. Which of the following will happen if algal and fungal partners are separated form each other
(a) Both will survive and grow normally and independent from each other.
(b) Both will die
(c) Algal component will survive while the fungal component will die.
(d) Fungal component will survive while algal patern will die.

Explanation

Is correct lichen is a symbiotic associatiob between an alga and a fungi, which live together for their mutual benefit. If both are separated form each other then they will die. The fungus holds water, provides protection and ideal housing to the alga.
The alga in turn supplies carbohydate food for the fungus . it the alga is capable of fixing nitrogen (e.g., Nostoc), it supplies fixe nitrogen to the fuguns. The kind of mutula interdpendence helps lichens to grow on dry , barren rocks, where the other plants fail to exist. Morever, the algae or the fungi alone cannot gow in such places. Thus both the partners cannot survive without each other.