Lichens Vs. Mosses

Day 98: Ignoring the Douglas-fir branches, one of these two clumps of green matter is a plant and the other one is not. Do you know the difference between lichen and moss? Bryophytes (mosses) are a simple form of plant life, with structures which fulfill the same functions as the leaves, roots and stems of more well-developed plants. Mosses contain chloroplasts throughout their bodies, while lichens only have chloroplasts in the algal layer on their outer surfaces. On the other hand, a lichen is a symbiotic organism comprised of fungus, algae/cyanobacteria and yeast, each component providing something vital to the survival of the whole. The fungus gives the lichen its shape and aids in moisture retention, while the alga/cyanobacteria provides photosynthesis and contributes nutrients in a form the fungus can utilize. The role of the yeast in lichen is not fully understood, although some research suggests that it helps ward off disease. Although many lichens resemble mosses in outward appearance, they are truly quite different.