Question

Which one of the following population interactions is widely used in medical science for the production of antibiotics?
A. Parasitism
B. Commensalism
C. Amensalism
D. Mutualism

Answer 1

Hint: The population interaction of the particular species depends on their environment and mode of nutrition. The microorganism shows the phagocytic property by engulfing the bacteria and protects the host body and gets itself benefitted by using bacteria as a source of food. Antibiotics are used to kill the pathogens.

Complete answer:
There is a huge variety of species in the environment. Different types of species show different types of interaction with other species. The population interaction is mainly of six types: Parasitism, predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, and amensalism.
Parasitism is the type of interaction in which the one organism (parasite) lives on another organism (host) to get nutrition. It harms the host organism.
Amensalism is the type of interaction in which one species harms the other organism, even if it itself does not get any benefit from that organism.
Mutualism is the type of symbiotic association in which both the organisms get benefits.
Commensalism is the type of interaction in which one of the species is inhibited by the other species. The production of antibiotics can be done by such species which will inhibit or kill the other species in the association.
In medical science, for the commercial production of antibiotics these types of interactions are very useful.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Note:
The parasites are mainly of two types that are endo-parasite and exo-parasites. Plasmodium is the example of endoparasite that lives inside the body of two hosts. The cuscuta is an example of exo-parasite.
One of the examples of ammensalism is such that the goat feeds on the same type of shrub as an insect. Examples of commensalism are: tree frogs use plants as protection, Remora fish have a disk on their heads that makes them able to attach to larger animals, such as sharks, mantas, and whales, etc.