Phycobiont\xa0refers to the algal component of the lichens and mycobiont refers to the fungal component. Both of these are present in symbiotic relationship in which Algae prepare food for Fungi due to presence of chlorophyll whereas the fungus provides shelter to algae and absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.\xa01The algal component of a lichen; any alga which is associated with a fungus to form a lichen (occasionally: specifically a green alga, as distinct from a blue-green alga). 2An alga in association with another type of organism (usually a plant).