Question

What does it mean to say that mutualism is a +/+ interaction?

a) Both species in the interaction experience lower fitness
b) Both species in the interaction receive a fitness benefit
c) Both species experience natural selection during get during the interaction (coevolution occurs)
d) Both species are present during the interaction

Answer 1

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit, leading to increased fitness for both. It is a +/+ interaction because both parties gain advantages that can enhance survival or reproduction. Therefore, the correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it is said that mutualism is a +/+ interaction, it means that both species involved in the interaction receive a fitness benefit. This can be contrasted with other types of symbiotic relationships such as commensalism, where only one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped, and parasitism, where one species benefits at the expense of the other which is harmed.

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship in which individuals from both species benefit, leading to a situation where their survival or reproduction is enhanced. An example of mutualism is the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones, where the clownfish gets protection from predators by living among the sea anemone's toxic tentacles, and the sea anemone benefits from the nutrients provided by the clownfish's waste.