Question

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship between two organisms where
A. Both partners benefit
B. One partner benefits and causes harm to other
C. One partner benefits and the other receives no harm
D. Both partners are dis-advantaged

Answer 1

Hint: Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship and long-term biological interaction. In this relationship, the members of one species gain benefits while those of the other species neither benefit nor are harmed. Example- The relationship between tigers and golden jackals. The jackal alerts the tiger to a kill and then feeds on the remains of the prey left by the tiger.

Complete answer:
> Option A- Both partners benefit
The symbiotic relationship in which both partners benefit is known as Mutualism.
Example- the relationship between the Egyptian plover and the crocodile.

> Option B- One partner benefits and causes harm to other
The symbiotic relationship in which one species (the parasite) benefits while the other species (the host) is harmed is known as parasitism. Example- mosquitoes, mistletoe, roundworms, all viruses, ticks, and malaria-causing protozoan.

> Option C- One partner benefits and the other receives no harm
The symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other species is not affected is known as Commensalism. Example- The relationship between Clownfish and anemones. Clownfish live in the stinging tentacles of sea anemones and are coated in mucous, which protects them from the anemone's stinging nematocysts. Crabs and shrimps also seek protection in anemones.

> Option D- Both partners are dis-advantaged, there is no such type of symbiotic relationship.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Symbiotic Relationship or Symbiosis is a close relationship between two species in which at least one species benefits. For the other species, this relationship may be positive, negative, or neutral. On the basis of this, there are three types of symbiosis: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.