Question

Helotism is a term used for the symbiosis of
(a) Algae and bacteria
(b) Algae and bryophytes
(c) Algae and pteridophytes
(d) Algae and fungi

Answer 1

Hint: It is a king and slavery type of relationship that occurs between two organisms. Here, one organism lives with the other organism as a parasite but it controls the growth and development of another one.

Complete answer:
Algae and fungi, which are found in the same areas, often form a symbiotic relationship between them. In this symbiotic relationship, one partner is benefitted more in comparison to the other partner and also, one partner prepares necessary food materials for the other and thus it is considered as a king and slavery type of relationship between the two organisms. Though the fungus in this relation lives as a parasite, it controls the growth of algae.
Here, the fungus sends its haustoria into the cells of alga and the alga is induced to secrete some organic substances that are required for the growth of fungus. In turn, the fungus also prevents alga from developing pectic covering, and in this way, it acts as a controlled parasite for the alga. The sexual reproduction of algae is also inhibited by the fungal partner and it adopts a slow growth pattern under the influence of fungus attached to it.

Fig.- Helotism

So, the correct answer is ‘Algae and fungi’.

Note: In nature, there is a wide variety of microorganisms and their number is also huge. The different types of microorganisms often inhabit the same niche and either share or compete for the same resources for their living. In this interaction, they form symbiotic relations which are of five main types – commensalism, predation, competition, mutualism, and parasitism.