What are the peculiarities of the structure of lichens: anatomy and vital processes

In nature, there are several groups of amazing organisms that do not belong to any of the known kingdoms of living nature. And all because they are a collection of several of them. One of the most striking examples of this are lichens. They are even studied by a separate science, which is called lichenology. What are the peculiarities of the structure of lichens, their habitat and vital processes? All this will be discussed in detail in our article.

Amazing symbiosis

These non-similar organisms are the result of co-existence of fungi and algae. But not all representatives of these groups are able to form this mutually beneficial cohabitation. What are the characteristics of the structure of lichens? The body of fungi, or mycelium, consists of many fine filaments, called hyphae. Between them are cells of cyanobacteria - blue-green algae. As a result, a single organism is formed. It is able to function only in the presence of viable fungi and algae.

What are the peculiarities of the structure of lichens

The constituent parts of this natural symbiosis are not at all chaotic. The structure of lichen (the diagram illustrates the location of individual elements) has a clear structure. The body of these organisms is a thallus? Or thallium. Its basis is hyphae hyphae, which are densified from above and below, forming a so-called crust. Its functions are similar to those of the integumentary tissue of plants. This is protection from adverse conditions and the relationship of the organism with the environment.

Inside the lichen are also located mushroom threads, but more loose and spacious. This is a prerequisite, because between them are cells of cyanobacteria. Like mushrooms, lichens have rhizoids. These formations in terms of the functions performed and the location in the body resemble the roots of higher plants. And their main difference is the absence of all types of tissues. Thus, the cells of rhizoids are not specialized and are combined only anatomically.

Classification of lichens

The peculiarities of the structure of lichens cause their association in groups according to the shape of the body - the thallus. Depending on this, several groups are distinguished:

• Scale - in appearance resemble a powder. They cover the stones or bark of trees with a thin crust, sometimes visually merging with the surface.
• Leafy - have a clearer structure. Their thallus is a small scale, easily separated from the substrate.
• Bushy - most in appearance resemble the inferior plants. As a rule, they have a wide and flat base, the shape of a small bush or a hairy structure.

The basic processes of vital activity

The internal structure of the lichen also determines the physiological characteristics of these organisms. Since they are formed by fungi and algae, all life processes are similar to these groups of representatives of wildlife.

Food

Mushrooms and green algae feed in fundamentally different ways: hetero- and autotrophic. Therefore, for lichens, both the first and the second are characteristic. This is of great importance for the process of adaptation of these organisms to different habitats. After all, if there are no conditions for self-education of carbohydrates, the body absorbs the nutrients necessary for life from the soil or other substrate. Algae perform the process of photosynthesis, providing lichens with the necessary organic substances and enriching the air with oxygen. And mushrooms suck water from the substrate with dissolved minerals. They are used by cyanobacteria for the process of photosynthesis. This method of nutrition is called mixotrophic.

Reproduction

To determine the type of reproduction of these organisms, it is necessary to recall once again what are the peculiarities of the structure of lichens. And since they consist of fungi and algae, then the process of reproducing themselves can be carried out both first and second. This fact is also important for their adaptation and dissemination.

Like fungi, lichens form spores - cells of asexual reproduction. They are transported by wind and water over long distances and are very viable. Under favorable conditions, they begin to develop, forming an adult organism. As the lowest plants, lichens reproduce asexually vegetatively, namely, parts of the thallus. It can be quite large shrubs or very small fragments containing only a few hyphae of fungi and cyanobacterial cells. This is sufficient for the rapid development of the whole organism. The vegetative mode of reproduction is predominant in comparison with sporulation.

The importance of lichens in nature and human life

What is the structure of the lichen, we found out. Now let's look at the main aspects of its meaning in living nature. Lichens are not accidentally called "pioneers" of the plant world. After all, they are able to develop in places where other organisms can not live. For example, settling on hard rocks, they gradually destroy them. As a result, there is a basis for the formation of soil cover - a necessary condition for plant life.

Lichens are absolutely unpretentious to habitat conditions, but prefer high humidity. When drought or freezing occurs, they suspend the intensity of life processes and resume them after. Lichens are food for some northern animals. In medicine, they are used as bactericidal agents.

Lichens - a special group of organisms, which is a mutually beneficial cohabitation of fungi and algae. They combine the properties of these kingdoms of nature, being indicators of the purity of the environment and the basis of the vegetation cover of the tundra.