Question

Consider the following statements (A) to (D) each with one or two blamks:
A. Lichens represent an initimate ___(i)___ relationship between a fungus and __(ii)__.
B. The __(iii)__ are associations between fungi and the roots of higher plants.
C. Plants need the help of __(iv)__ for pollinating their flowers and dispersing their seeds.
D. The __(v)__ pollinates the fig inflorescence while searching for suitable egg laying sites
Which one of the following options, gives the correct fill ups for the respective blank numbers from (i)-(v) in the statements?
(A) (i) Parasitic; (ii)- Cyanobacteria; (iii)-mycorrhizae; (iv)-wind; (v)-bee
(B) (i) Mutualistic; (ii)- cyanobacteria; (iii)- mycorrhizae; (iv)- animals; (v) wasp
(C) (i) Parasitic; (ii)- cyanobacteria; (iii)- mycorrhizae; (iv)- insect; (v)- bumble bee
(D) (i) Mutualistic; (ii)- cyanobacteria; (iii)-lichen; (iv)- wind; (v)-wasp

Answer 1

Hint: In order to survive, organism must have relationship among them, these relationships can be beneficial to both such are called mutualism, some can be beneficial to one and does not affect the other one in any way such as commensalism, some can be harmful to both such as competition, some can be harmful to one and helpful to the other such as parasitism and predation and some can be harmful to one and does not affect the other one such as ammensalism. Lichens, mycorrhizae, pollinators-plants are all examples of mutualistic relationships.

Complete step by step solution:
Two organisms work together as a single, stable entity to form a lichen, or lichenized fungus. Lichens are made up of a fungus that coexists with an alga or cyanobacterium (or both in some instances). Around 17,000 different lichen species can be found worldwide. A mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and a green plant. The plant provides sugars to the fungus by employing sunlight to produce organic molecules. The fungus then gives the plant water and mineral nutrients from the soil, such phosphorus.
In particular, mycorrhizae are crucial for helping the host plant absorb the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, which are both essential for plant growth. Mycorrhizae actually expand the root's surface area, enabling plants to get nutrients and water that might not otherwise be accessible. Animals typically pollinate flowers after entering the blossoms to drink the nectar. The animal contacts or rubs the stamens while consuming nectar, becoming pollen-coated. The next flower it visits will be pollinated by some of this pollen that is left on the stigma. Both figs Wasp Mutualism: When the female flowers inside the developing fruit are prepared for pollination, the fig releases a seductive perfume that only female wasps of that tree's particular species are drawn to. The wasp locates the fig by its aroma and attempts to enter through the fig's tiny aperture at the end.
So, option (B) is correct.

Note:
Don’t confuse mutualism with symbiosis, these are two separate things. A close and sustained relationship between two creatures of different species is referred to as symbiosis. Mutually beneficial interactions between members of the same species or different species are known as mutualism.\