Phycobiont & Mycobiont in Lichens — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptWhat do the terms phycobiont and mycobiont signify?
Assertion (A): Lichen components have specific scientific names based on their nature. Reason (R): The fungal component is called phycobiont while the algal component is called mycobiont.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: C — If assertion is true but reason is false.
NCERT confirms lichen components have specific names (Assertion true). However, NCERT states “The algal component is known as phycobiont and fungal component as mycobiont.” The Reason swaps these terms - the fungal component is mycobiont (not phycobiont) and the algal component is phycobiont (not mycobiont). This etymology reversal creates a highly confusing false statement.
What does NCERT say about What do terms phycobiont?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.