In which type of relationship does one organism benefit while the other is unaffected?

In which type of relationship does one organism benefit while the other is unaffected?

• A. Commensalism
• B. Mutualism
• C. Parasitism
• D. Symbiosis

Answer: (A)

In a commensalism relationship, one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. This type of interaction is characterized by a lack of significant impact on the non-benefiting organism, allowing the benefitting organism to thrive without affecting the other party. An example of commensalism would be barnacles attaching to the shell of a turtle. The barnacle benefits by gaining a substrate to live on and access to nutrients in the water, while the turtle is not adversely affected by the presence of the barnacles. This distinct separation between the beneficiary and the unaffected organism defines commensalism. In contrast, mutualism involves both organisms benefiting from the relationship, parasitism results in one organism benefiting at the expense of the other, and symbiosis generally refers to a close and long-term interaction between two different species, which can include mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Thus, the nature of commensalism makes it the correct answer as it highlights the balance where one organism gains advantage without impacting the other.

In a commensalism relationship, one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. This type of interaction is characterized by a lack of significant impact on the non-benefiting organism, allowing the benefitting organism to thrive without affecting the other party.

An example of commensalism would be barnacles attaching to the shell of a turtle. The barnacle benefits by gaining a substrate to live on and access to nutrients in the water, while the turtle is not adversely affected by the presence of the barnacles. This distinct separation between the beneficiary and the unaffected organism defines commensalism.

In contrast, mutualism involves both organisms benefiting from the relationship, parasitism results in one organism benefiting at the expense of the other, and symbiosis generally refers to a close and long-term interaction between two different species, which can include mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Thus, the nature of commensalism makes it the correct answer as it highlights the balance where one organism gains advantage without impacting the other.