Lichens are symbiotic associations of fungi and photosymbionts. Lichens grow on exposed surfaces in harsh environments. Hypothesize one role of the fungal mycelium which allows the photosymbiont to survive where other photosynthetic organisms would die?
a. The fungus fixes nitrogen from the air.
b. The mycelium protects the symbiont from predators.
c. The mycelium deflects excessive sunlight that would bleach the photosymbiont.
d. The mycelium provides carbon sources to the photosymbiont.