Fungi are also known to form symbiotic associations with plants. This is known as: |
Phycobiont Mycorrhiza Cyanobacteria Antibiotics |
Mycorrhiza |
The correct answer is Option (2) → Mycorrhiza Fungi are also known to form symbiotic associations with plants (mycorrhiza). Many members of the genus Glomus form mycorrhiza. The fungal symbiont in these associations absorbs phosphorus from soil and passes it to the plant. Plants having such associations show other benefits also, such as resistance to root-borne pathogens, tolerance to salinity and drought, and an overall increase in plant growth and development. Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus (called the mycobiont) and an alga. Cyanobacteria are autotrophic microbes widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments many of which can fix atmospheric nitrogen, e.g. Anabaena, Nostoc, Oscillatoria, etc. Antibiotics are chemical substances, which are produced by some microbes and can kill or retard the growth of other (disease-causing) microbes. Penicillin was the first antibiotic to be discovered. Penicillin is produced by the mould Penicillium notatum. |