Final answer:
In a mycorrhizal symbiosis, the plant partner can receive phosphate and other minerals from the soil, while the fungus obtains nutrients from the plant root. The association increases the surface area of the plant root system and provides defense against pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a mycorrhizal symbiosis, the plant partner can receive phosphate and other minerals, such as zinc and copper, from the soil. The fungus obtains nutrients, such as sugars, from the plant root. Mycorrhizae increase the surface area of the plant root system, allowing it to access more nutrients. The symbiotic relationship also provides a physical barrier to pathogens and induces generalized host defense mechanisms.