MCQ on Lichenas with Answers Pdf Download
Check your knowledge by solving MCQ on Lichens with Answers – Free PDF Download! These carefully curated Multiple Choice Questions on Lichens are designed to help students preparing for NEET and other competitive exams like KVPY, MHT-CET, NTSE, CSIR-NET, and SET. Understanding Lichens can be challenging, but we’ve simplified complex concepts through these objective-type questions to make your learning process smoother and more effective.
Practicing these Lichen MCQs will not only strengthen your foundational understanding of the topic but also improve your speed and accuracy in competitive exams. Each question comes with a detailed answer, allowing you to self-assess and identify areas that need more attention. These MCQs on Lichens cover all important subtopics such as the structure, types, reproduction, and ecological significance of lichens, making them highly beneficial for last-minute revision as well.

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MCQ on Lichens with Answers Pdf Download
Master lichens for Class 11 Biology with our targeted MCQ series! Understand symbiotic relationships, ecological roles, and types of lichens through exam-focused multiple-choice questions. Download free PDFs (English & Hindi) featuring 50+ MCQs with detailed answers, diagrams, and NCERT references. Perfect for CBSE, ICSE, and state boards, these resources cover crustose, foliose, and fruticose lichens, their economic importance, and role as pollution indicators. Test your knowledge with our interactive quiz or print the PDFs for offline practice. Start your revision today!
1. Lichens are a well-known combination of an alga and a fungus where the fungus has
(1) a saprophytic relationship with the alga
(2) an epiphytic relationship with the alga
(3) a parasitic relationship with the alga
(4) a symbiotic relationship with the alga
Answer: 4
Explanation: Lichens represent a mutualistic (symbiotic) relationship between a fungus (mycobiont) and an alga or cyanobacterium (photobiont), where both partners benefit.
2. Most of the Lichens consist of
(1) blue-green algae and basidiomycetes
(2) blue-green algae and ascomycetes
(3) red algae and ascomycetes
(4) brown algae and Phycomycetes
Answer: 2
Explanation: The fungal component in most lichens is an ascomycete, and the algal component is usually a cyanobacterium (blue-green algae).
3. Reindeer moss is a lichen known as
(1) Usnea
(2) Rocella
(3) Cladonia
(4) Parmelia
Answer: 3
Explanation: Cladonia rangiferina, commonly called reindeer moss, is a fruticose lichen that is a major food source for reindeer.
4. Which of the following statement about lichens is incorrect
(1) Lichens are indicators of pollution
(2) They grow rapidly about 2cm every day
(3) Some species are eaten by reindeer
(4) They have a symbiotic relationship between alga and fungus
Answer: 2
Explanation: Lichens grow very slowly, at a rate of only a few millimeters per year, not 2 cm per day.
5. Which one of the following is not true about lichens?
(1) Their body is composed of both algal and fungal cells
(2) Some form food for reindeer in arctic regions
(3) Some species can be used as pollution indicators
(4) These grow very fast at the rate of about 2 cm per year
Answer: 4
Explanation: Lichens grow slowly; the claim of growing 2 cm per year is an exaggeration.
6. In the studies on atmospheric pollution, lichens are important as they
(1) can readily multiply in a polluted atmosphere
(2) are very sensitive to pollutants
(3) efficiently purify the atmosphere
(4) can also be grown in a greatly polluted atmosphere
Answer: 2
Explanation: Lichens are highly sensitive to air pollutants, especially sulfur dioxide, making them useful bioindicators.
7. Vegetative reproduction in lichens takes place by
(1) isidia
(2) Soredia
(3) fragmentation
(4) all of the above
Answer: 4
Explanation: Lichens reproduce vegetatively through fragmentation, isidia, and soredia, all of which help in dispersing both fungal and algal partners.
8. Lichens indicate SO₂ pollution because they
(1) show an association between algae and fungi
(2) grow faster than others
(3) are sensitive to SO₂
(4) flourish in an SO₂-rich environment
Answer: 3
Explanation: Lichens are very sensitive to SO₂ and die off in areas with high levels, thus acting as natural indicators.
9. Which of the following are the most suitable indicators of SO₂ pollution in the environment?
(1) Conifers
(2) Algae
(3) Fungi
(4) Lichens
Answer: 4
Explanation: Lichens are the most effective bioindicators of sulfur dioxide pollution due to their sensitivity.
10. Which one single organism or the pair of organisms is correctly assigned to its taxonomic group?
(1) Paramoecium and Plasmodium belong to the same kingdom as Penicillium
(2) Lichen is a composite organism formed from the symbiotic association of algae and a protozoan
(3) Yeast used in making bread and beer is a fungus
(4) Nostoc and Anabaena are examples of Protista
Answer: 3
Explanation: Yeast is a unicellular fungus commonly used in baking and alcohol fermentation.
FAQs on MCQ on Lichens
1. What is a lichen? Describe its symbiotic relationship.
A lichen is a symbiotic association between a fungus (mycobiont) and an alga or cyanobacterium (phycobiont). The fungus provides shelter and absorbs nutrients, while the alga performs photosynthesis to produce food.
2. Name 3 types of lichens with examples.
- Crustose: Tightly attached to rocks (e.g., Graphis)
- Foliose: Leaf-like structure (e.g., Parmelia)
- Fruticose: Shrubby or branched (e.g., Usnea)
3. Why are lichens called “pioneer species”?
Lichens colonize barren rocks first, secreting acids that break down rock into soil. This creates conditions for other plants to grow, making them ecosystem pioneers.
4. How are lichens used as pollution indicators?
Lichens absorb pollutants from the air. Sensitive species like Usnea die in polluted areas, while hardy ones like Lecanora survive. Their absence signals high air pollution.
5. What is the economic importance of lichens?
- Dyes: Orchil dye from Roccella
- Food: Reindeer moss (Cladonia)
- Medicines: Antibiotics from Usnic acid
- Perfumes: Oakmoss (Evernia)
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