Microsoft ® Office PowerPoint
of Slides: 30
for grades: 3 - 12
presentation introduces students to the world of Lichenology as a branch
of Mycology. This slide show works well after the introduction of
Mycology with the presentation: "Our Natural World -
Fabulous Fungi", but also works well on its own as an
introduction to lichens.
will learn that lichens are the organisms that begin the process of
creating a foundation for habitation by others.
are not single plants, but rather plant-like organisms that are the
result of a partnership called mutualistic symbiosis between as many as
three members of the Life Kingdoms.
learn that the dominant partner of any lichen is a fungus or mycobiont
and that fungi look for partners who can make food by photosynthesis,
via a photobiont.
fungi partners are algae from the Protista Kingdom and Cyanobacteria,
formerly called blue-green alga, from the Monera Kingdom.
visual representation of the four lichen groupings includes lichens that
are Foliose; Crustose; Fruticose; and Squamulose.
photographs illustrate that lichens come in a variety o f sizes, shapes
will learn about the various places that lichens grow and that
"epiphytic" lichens are those that primarily grow on trees.
take nitrogen gas from the air and turn it into biologically usable
compounds, making their symbiotic lichen relationships major
contributors of soil fertility. Acids help to break down rock to
will learn that since lichens are sensitive to airborne pollutants,
information about their distribution is used to identify areas with
reproduction using soredia and fruiting bodies is mentioned.
presentation ends with some fun lichen facts.
terms: Mycology, Lichenology, mutualistic symbiosis, mycobiont,
photobiont, algae, cyanobacteria, hyphae, cholorphyll, photosynthesis,
foliose, crustose, fruticose, squamulose, epiphytic, soredia, isidia,
Roiser BAA, BEd &
Kevin Chorowiec OCT, BAS, BEd