Question

Give four attributes of a population. Explain in detail the process of mutualism.

Answer 1

Hint: Population refers to the total number of beings living in a particular region. The population helps us calculate an estimate of the number of beings and how to act accordingly. For instance, if we realize the particular population of a city, we can calculate the number of resources it needs.

Complete answer: The four different attributes of a population are:
1. Birth and death rates: This attribute is statically measured for the population but in the case of an organism it's not, as it has birth and death but not birth rate and death rate.
These rates are expressed in the increase or decrease of the population.
It refers to the per capita birth and death rate.
2. Sex ratio: In a population, an individual is either male or female, the ratio of male to female in a given population is known as sex ratio.
3. Age distribution: In a population, there are different age groups such as reproductive, pre-reproductive, and post-reproductive, it is graphically represented as an age pyramid which indicates whether a population is growing, stable, or declining.
4. Population Density: This attribute tells the size of the population, which indicates the status of the habitat.

Mutualism is the interaction where both the organisms are benefited and none of the organisms is harmed. The organism with this relation is termed as symbionts.
It can be seen in all living organisms which include human beings, birds, plants, and other microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
For e.g. Acacia trees provide shelter and nutrients to ants as they feed on the nectar of acacia trees, and ants attack the insects and protect them from grazing animals.

Note: The current world population is 7.8 billion as of September 2020 according to the recent United Nations estimates elaborated by Worldometer.
The term "World Population" means the human population (the total number of humans currently living) of the world.