Chapter 2: Biological Classification
NCERT Biology | NEET-UG Preparation | Chapter Summary
Learning objective: Understand the development of biological classification, the five-kingdom system, the major characteristics of different kingdoms, and the differences between viruses, viroids, prions and lichens.
Lichens
Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, which may be a green alga or a cyanobacterium.
Partners in a lichen
- Mycobiont: The fungal partner, which provides structure and helps absorb water and minerals.
- Photobiont: The algal or cyanobacterial partner, which produces organic food through photosynthesis. Cyanobacterial partners may also fix nitrogen.
Importance of lichens
- They contribute to ecological processes and the colonisation of certain surfaces.
- Some lichens are sensitive to air pollution and can be used as bioindicators.
- The association illustrates symbiosis between different types of organisms.
NEET focus: The fungal partner is the mycobiont; the photosynthetic partner is the photobiont.
