Question

The human body has about 10 bacterial cells for every eukaryotic cell. Bacteria coat our skin, gut, and mouth. Also present are protists, Archaeans, and viruses. Collectively, these organisms are our microbiota. For most members of our microbiota, our body provides their environment (or space to live). They, in turn, have no effect on us. This is an example of:a. mutualism.b. commensalism.c. predation.d. an antagonistic relationship.

Answer 1

The answer is more complicated. It's both mutualism and commensalim.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mutualism because the bacteria gets a space to live in and we get the direct benefits due to their activity (e.g. celluolytic bacteria in appendix).

Commensalism because we don't get any direct benefits nor harm from some microbiota that inhabit us. They just happily do their own thing not bothering us. A commensal species benefits from another species by obtaining locomotion, shelter, food, or support from the host species (us), which (for the most part) neither benefits nor is harmed.