Final answer:
Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit, but not necessarily equally. Symbiosis includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. While all mutualistic relationships are symbiotic, not all symbiotic relationships are mutualistic as they can also be commensal or parasitic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between mutualism and symbiotic relationships lies in the extent of benefit each organism receives. Symbiosis is a broad term that encompasses all types of close and long-term biological interactions between two different species, which includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. In a mutualistic relationship, both species involved benefit from the interaction, although the benefit gained by each individual does not necessarily have to be equal.
For example, the relationship between clownfish and the sea anemone is mutualistic because the clownfish gains protection from predators by living among the anemone's venomous tentacles, and the anemone benefits from the clownfish's movements, which enhances water circulation around the anemone. There are two hypotheses regarding the origin of a clownfish's protective mucus: one is that it is produced by the fish itself, while the other suggests that it comes from a particular diet that the fish consume, which consists of the anemone's mucus.
When the benefit to one organism in a mutualistic relationship is significantly less, it may also be considered commensalism, where one species benefits without significant impact on the other. Not all mutualistic relationships are equal in terms of the benefits they provide, and not all symbiotic relationships are mutualistic; some can be parasitic or commensal. In parasitism, one species benefits at the expense of the other, like the relationship between tapeworms and their hosts.