Explain mutualism with the help of any two examples. How is it different from commensalism?
Answers
Answer:
Mutualism is a type of interaction between two living organisms in which both are equally benefited and no one is harmed. For example, lichen is a mutualistic relationship between a fungus and algae. Algae provide food to fungus obtained from photosynthesis. The fungus provides anchoring and protection to the algae.
Answer:
Mutalism is the interaction which confers benefits on both the interacting species. Lichens represent an intimate mutualistic relationship between a fungus and photosynthesising algae or cynobacteria. Similarly, the mycorrhizae are associations between fungi and roots of higher plants. Fungi help the plant in the absorption of essential nutrients from the soil while the plant in turn provides the fungi with energy yielding carbohydrates.
• The interaction where one species is benefitted and the other is neither benefitted nor harmed is called commensalism.