Chapter 31

• A lichen is a symbiotic association between a photosynthetic microorganism and a fungus
• The photosyntethic component of a lichen is green algae or cyanobacteria.
• The fungal component of a lichen is most often an ascomycete
• The general term for a fungal infection in animals is mycosis
• Ringworm and athlete’s foot are examples of human mycoses
• Humans eat many fungi and use others to make cheeses, alcoholic beverages, and bread
• Some fungi are used to produce antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections (Penicillium)