Which term describes a relationship where both organisms benefit?

Which term describes a relationship where both organisms benefit?

• A. Mutualism
• B. Parasitic
• C. Commensalism
• D. Food chain

Answer: (A)

Mutualism is a relationship where two different species interact and both gain benefits. That makes it the best description here. For example, flowers provide nectar to pollinators, and the pollinators help the plants by spreading pollen so the plants can reproduce, so both sides benefit. This differs from parasitism, where one organism benefits at the expense of the other; commensalism, where one benefits and the other is largely unaffected; and a food chain, which shows who eats whom rather than a reciprocal benefit.

Mutualism is a relationship where two different species interact and both gain benefits. That makes it the best description here. For example, flowers provide nectar to pollinators, and the pollinators help the plants by spreading pollen so the plants can reproduce, so both sides benefit. This differs from parasitism, where one organism benefits at the expense of the other; commensalism, where one benefits and the other is largely unaffected; and a food chain, which shows who eats whom rather than a reciprocal benefit.