Question

Amensalism is a type of population interaction in which

• A. both the interacting species are benefitted
• B. one species is benefited and the other species is harmed
• C. one species is benefited and the other species is neither benefited or harmed
• D. one species is harmed and the other species is neither benefited or harmed

Answer 1

The correct option is D one species is harmed and the other species is neither benefited or harmed

Populations of different species live together and interact in several ways. These interspecific interactions can be beneficial, detrimental or neutral (neither harm nor benefit the species).

The various population interactions include mutualism, parasitism, commensalism, amensalism, competition and predation.

In mutualism, both the interacting species mutually benefit from each other.

Predation is a type of interaction in which the predator eats another organism called prey. Hence, in predation, one species is benefited and the other is harmed.

In commensalism, one species is benefited and the other is unaffected. The organism which derives the benefit is called commensal and the organism which neither gets benefited or harmed is called a host.

In amensalism, one species is harmed and another species is neither harmed nor benefited (unaffected).

Hence, option d is correct.