Majority of lichens are made of

Options

A. Blue-green algae and basidiomycetes
B. Blue-green algae and ascomycetes
C. Red algae and ascomycetes
D. Brown algae and higher plants.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Lichens**: Lichens are composite organisms formed from a symbiotic relationship between two different types of organisms: algae and fungi.

2. **Identifying the Components**: In lichens, the algal component is referred to as the phycobiont, while the fungal component is called the mycobiont.

3. **Types of Algae in Lichens**: The algae present in lichens can be either green algae or blue-green algae (cyanobacteria).

4. **Types of Fungi in Lichens**: The fungal partner in lichens is predominantly from the Ascomycetes group.

5. **Evaluating the Options**:
- Option A: Blue-green alga and basidiomycetes - Incorrect, as basidiomycetes are not the primary fungi in lichens.
- Option B: Blue-green alga and Ascomycetes - Correct, as Ascomycetes are the main fungal partners in lichens.
- Option C: Red alga and Ascomycetes - Incorrect, as red algae are not commonly associated with lichens.
- Option D: Brown alga and higher plants - Incorrect, as lichens do not typically involve brown algae or higher plants.

6. **Conclusion**: The majority of lichens are made up of blue-green algae and Ascomycetes, making Option B the correct answer.

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