Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following characteristics is shared by both mutualism and commensalism in ecological communities?
A
At least one species benefits from the interaction
B
Neither species is affected by the interaction
C
Both species benefit equally from the interaction
D
Both species are harmed by the interaction
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the definitions of mutualism and commensalism: Mutualism is a type of ecological interaction where both species involved benefit from the relationship. Commensalism, on the other hand, is an interaction where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
Analyze the question: The problem asks for a characteristic shared by both mutualism and commensalism. This means we need to identify a feature that applies to both types of interactions.
Evaluate the options provided: Go through each option systematically to determine if it applies to both mutualism and commensalism. For example, 'At least one species benefits from the interaction' is true for both mutualism and commensalism, while 'Neither species is affected by the interaction' applies only to commensalism.
Eliminate incorrect options: Remove options that do not apply to both mutualism and commensalism, such as 'Both species benefit equally from the interaction' (only true for mutualism) and 'Both species are harmed by the interaction' (not true for either).
Conclude the shared characteristic: Based on the analysis, the shared characteristic is that at least one species benefits from the interaction, as this is true for both mutualism and commensalism.