Pisolithus tinc- torius The hyphae grows mainly inside the roots, penetrate the outer cortical cells of the plant root. A small portion of the mycelium is found outside the root. This form is also called Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungi (VAM Fungi) due to the presence of Vesicle or arbuscle like haustoria . Arbuscular mycorrhizae(AM) Example: Gigaspora .
Ericoid mycorrhizae -Example: Oidiodendron . Orchid mycorrhizae -Example: Rhizoctonia The fungi form both mantle and also pen- etrates the cortical cells. on Bark) Lignicolous (on Wood) Saxicolous (on rocks) Terricolous (on ground) Marine(on siliceous rocks of sea) Fresh water(on siliceous rock of fresh water). • On the basis of morphology of the thallus they are divided into Leprose (a distinct fungal layer is absent) Crustose -crust like; Foliose-leaf like; Fruticose - branched pendulous shrub like (Figure .
). (a) Crustose lichen (b) Foliose Lichen (c) Fruticose Lichen Figure . : Types of Lichens • The distribution of algal cells distinguishes lichens into two forms namely Homoiomerous (Algal cells evenly distributed in the thallus) and Heteromerous (a distinct layer of algae and fungi present). • If the fungal partner of lichen belongs to ascomycetes, it is called Ascolichen and if it is basidiomycetes it is called Basidiolichen .
Lichens secrete organic acids like Oxalic acids which corrodes the rock surface and helps in weathering of rocks, thus acting as pioneers in Xerosere. Usnic acid produced from lichens show antibiotic properties. Lichens are sensitive to air pollutants especially to sulphur-di-oxide. Therefore, they are considered as pollution indicators.
The dye present in litmus paper used as acid base indicator in the laboratories is obtained from Roccella montagnei. Cladonia rangiferina (Reindeer mose) is used as food for animals living in Tundra regions. Summary Earth is endowed with living and nonliving things. The attributes of living things include growth, metabolism, reproduction, irritability and so on.
Viruses are considered as Biological puzzle and exhibit both living and non living characteristic features. They are ultramicroscopic, obligate parasites and cause disease in plants and animals. They multiply by lytic and lysogenic cycle. Five Kingdom classification was