Interspecies interaction that benefits both participants is known as __________.
A) commensalism
B) symbiosis
C) parasitism
D) epiphytic
E) mutualism

Question

Interspecies interaction that benefits both participants is known as __________.  
A) commensalism
B) symbiosis
C) parasitism
D) epiphytic
E) mutualism

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mutualism is the most appropriate choice as it describes an interspecies interaction that benefits both participants. Commensalism describes a situation where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Symbiosis is a general term used to describe any long-term relationship between different species, regardless of whether it benefits both, one, or neither of the participants. Parasitism is a relationship where one organism benefits while the other is harmed. Epiphytic describes a type of relationship where one organism lives on the surface of another organism, but it may or may not benefit from this relationship.

Interspecies Interaction That Benefits Both Participants Is Known as __________