Final answer:
Mycorrhizal fungi have a mutually beneficial relationship with plants in low nutrient soils. The fungi provide minerals to the plants, while the plants supply the fungi with sugars produced through photosynthesis. This symbiotic association helps improve nutrient absorption for plants in poor soils.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mycorrhizal fungi have a mutually beneficial relationship with plants in environments with soils that are low in nutrients. In this relationship, the fungi provide the plants with minerals such as phosphate, zinc, and copper, while the plants provide the fungi with sugars produced through photosynthesis. The fungi also help increase the surface area of the plant root system, allowing for better nutrient absorption from the soil. This symbiotic association is especially beneficial for plants in poor soils.