Question

Mutualism is a type of interspecific interaction in which both the interacting species are benefitted.

Match column I with column II and choose the correct option.

Column I	Column II
A. Benefit to mycobiont from phycobiont	1. Absorption of mineral nutrients from the soil
B. Benefit to plants in mycorrhizal association	2. Pollination
C. Benefit to female wasp from fig tree	3. Food
D. Benefit to Ophrys from bees	4. Place to safely deposit eggs

• A. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
• B. A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
• C. A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
• D. A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

Answer 1

The correct option is D A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

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).

Mutualism is a type of interspecific interaction where both the interacting species are benefited.

Given below are few examples of mutualism:

• Lichens: Lichens are formed by the symbiotic association between algae or blue green algae (cyanobacteria) and fungi which mutually benefits each other. The algal component is called phycobiont and the fungal component is called mycobiont. The phycobiont, being autotrophic, provides food to the mycobiont. The mycobiont absorbs minerals and water for its partner.
• Mycorrhiza: The association of fungi with the roots of higher plants is called mycorrhiza. In this association both fungi and plants are benefitted. The plants provide energy-yielding carbohydrates to the fungi and in turn the fungal filaments absorb essential mineral nutrients from the soil and provide it to the plant.
• Plant-animal relationships: Insects pollinate several flowering plants. Pollination is the transfer of the pollen from the anther to the stigma of the flower. Insects like bees and wasps get attracted to the flowers either by colour or fragrance and while visiting the flower, they pollinate them. In order to sustain the visits by insects, plants provide floral rewards like nectar and pollen.

1. The relationship between female wasp and fig tree represents a most spectacular and evolutionarily fascinating example of mutualism. Fig trees are pollinated by wasps. There is a tight one to one relationship between fig trees and wasps as a specific species of fig gets pollinated only by a specific species of wasp and not any other species. The female wasp lays eggs in the fruits of the fig and uses the seeds to feed the developing larvae. While searching for suitable egg laying sites, the wasp pollinates the flower.
2. In certain cases, flowers do not offer any floral rewards to their pollinators. The Mediterranean orchid, Ophrys is an example of this. One of the petals of its flower exactly resembles a female bee in size, colour and marking. This floral pattern is evolved to attract the right pollinator. The male bee gets attracted to the flower and pseudo copulates with the flower and during this the pollen sticks to the body of the bee. When the same male bee pseudo copulates with another flower, it transfers that pollen.