Final answer:
Mutualists are organisms that engage in mutualism, a type of symbiotic relationship where both species mutually benefit from the association, such as the clownfish and sea anemones.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mutualists refer to organisms that live in a close association where both parties benefit. This specific type of symbiotic relationship is known as mutualism. In mutualism, the interaction is advantageous to both species involved, enhancing their survival, growth, or fitness. An example of mutualism is the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones, where the clownfish get protection from predators and the sea anemones get their water aerated by the movement of the clownfish.
Contrary to mutualism, other symbiotic relationships include commensalism, where one species benefits and the other is unaffected, and parasitism, where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. Competition, on the other hand, refers to the struggle between organisms for the same resources within an ecosystem, which is not a form of symbiosis. Mutualistic relationships are essential for the well-being of many ecosystems, as they often promote biodiversity and contribute positively to the life processes of the species involved.