Tar lichen (Verrucaria sp.), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The image shows a section through the lichen which is tightly attached to th

---

Tar lichen (Verrucaria sp.), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The image shows a section through the lichen which is tightly attached to the substrate rock. Lichens are organisms formed by the symbiotic association of a fungus and a green alga or cyanobacterium. The algal cells use photosynthesis to produce nutrients which are absorbed by fungal hyphae that surround and penetrate the algae. Fungal hyphae also absorb minerals from rainwater or acidic digestion of the substrate. Verrrucaria lichen are commonly found on seashore rocks and have a black, oily appearance. Magnification: x1200 when printed 10 centimetres wide.

---

Size: 4000px × 4000px
Photo credit: © EYE OF SCIENCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: alga, algae, biologicalplant, biology, botanical, botany, coloured, cross, crustose, cyanobacteria, false-coloured, flora, fungi, fungus, green, hypha, hyphae, lichen, lichens, microbiological, microbiology, mutualism, mycology, nature, plant, rock, section, sectioned, sem, symbiosis, symbiotic, tar, verrucaria