Lichen, like most fungi, grows from a small spore that lands and begins spreading outward.
Although the lichens absorb very little material from their substrate, these micro-nutrients are critical to their survival. Its similar to vitamins and minerals in our biology. Pound for pound, most of what you eat is protein, cellullose, starch, and water, but if you don't get enough tiny amounts of iron you will get sick.
Well, it wasn't intended to be a scientific explanation, more of a simplified one for people who don't know a lot or have never even noticed lichens. As such, it is EXTREMELY simplified, but I do think it covers the basic concepts.
These lichens do grow from the center out, much like bacterial colonies on a petri dish or mold on a piece of bread. The idea that the lichen somehow grows from the outside in is prepostorous. How would it "know" where to start?
It's actually the acids produced by lichens that weathers the rocks, not because they absorb nutrients from the rock. Lichens absorb very very little nutrients from their substrate.
Sorry didn't mean to criticize you, just wanted to correct you, as I don't want people to get the wrong information on lichens. I too think they are an amazing creation on earth :)
This isn't a very scientific explanation on lichens. You make several mistakes, lichens do not absorb food from the rock, it absorbs nutrients (even this at very low levels as lichens are almost exclusively dependent on the atmosphere for nutrients), the algae is the sole provider of food for the lichen's growth. Also I think this lichen grows from the periphery, as the central parts are dead. They are the older parts, that is why they are dead. The younger parts are in the periphery.
This isn't a very scientific explanation on lichens. You make several mistakes, lichens do not absorb food from the rock, it absorbs nutrients (even this at very low levels as lichens are almost exclusively dependent on the atmosphere for nutrients), the algae is the sole provider of food for the lichen's growth. Also I think this lichen grows from the periphery, as the central parts are dead. They are the older parts, that is why they are dead. The younger parts are in the periphery.
while they don't necessarily eat the rock, they do absorb minerals.
supermariofj 1 week ago
I thought it was Lichen like (Chicken) not Lichen like (Lycan). Fuck... is this how the 1st werewolf came to be? duh duh dahhh
ChrisVGuitarist 1 month ago
lichen don't eat the rock it produces acids to make it looks like it eats the rock
baronnel14 2 months ago
Comment removed
SanderKivi 1 month ago
Lichen, like most fungi, grows from a small spore that lands and begins spreading outward.
Although the lichens absorb very little material from their substrate, these micro-nutrients are critical to their survival. Its similar to vitamins and minerals in our biology. Pound for pound, most of what you eat is protein, cellullose, starch, and water, but if you don't get enough tiny amounts of iron you will get sick.
aozeba 5 months ago
Well, it wasn't intended to be a scientific explanation, more of a simplified one for people who don't know a lot or have never even noticed lichens. As such, it is EXTREMELY simplified, but I do think it covers the basic concepts.
These lichens do grow from the center out, much like bacterial colonies on a petri dish or mold on a piece of bread. The idea that the lichen somehow grows from the outside in is prepostorous. How would it "know" where to start?
aozeba 5 months ago
It's actually the acids produced by lichens that weathers the rocks, not because they absorb nutrients from the rock. Lichens absorb very very little nutrients from their substrate.
meenucvit 5 months ago
Sorry didn't mean to criticize you, just wanted to correct you, as I don't want people to get the wrong information on lichens. I too think they are an amazing creation on earth :)
meenucvit 5 months ago
This isn't a very scientific explanation on lichens. You make several mistakes, lichens do not absorb food from the rock, it absorbs nutrients (even this at very low levels as lichens are almost exclusively dependent on the atmosphere for nutrients), the algae is the sole provider of food for the lichen's growth. Also I think this lichen grows from the periphery, as the central parts are dead. They are the older parts, that is why they are dead. The younger parts are in the periphery.
meenucvit 5 months ago
This isn't a very scientific explanation on lichens. You make several mistakes, lichens do not absorb food from the rock, it absorbs nutrients (even this at very low levels as lichens are almost exclusively dependent on the atmosphere for nutrients), the algae is the sole provider of food for the lichen's growth. Also I think this lichen grows from the periphery, as the central parts are dead. They are the older parts, that is why they are dead. The younger parts are in the periphery.
meenucvit 5 months ago
NO TOP COMMENTS.. boob
soraroxas61988 6 months ago
I've noticed that a few of them are growing on my metal balcony fence. Is that gonna cause corosion?
U5K0 7 months ago
really good explanation and presentation of Lichens...
gigiatbsashtrance 9 months ago
These are fascinating organisms. Nice video. Thanks.
RichardRoy2 10 months ago
The Like button should be "Lichen" just for this video.
RiverOfSteel 11 months ago
I love your video. I too think that lichens are incredible, but there is not much info on them.
missanna208 1 year ago