Lichens represent the symbiotic relationships between algae and fungi. The algae component present in lichen is best known as

Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner. The fungal component is known as the mycobiont (from the Greek mykes meaning fungus), which provides the structural framework and protects the partner from environmental stress. The photosynthetic component, which can be either green algae or cyanobacteria, is known as the phycobiont (from the Greek phykos meaning seaweed/algae) or photobiont. The phycobiont synthesizes food through photosynthesis, which is utilized by the fungus. Prions are infectious protein particles and are unrelated to this biological association. While both partners are symbionts, the specific term for the algal part is phycobiont.