Question

Assertion (A) : The interaction between a whale and the small barnacles on its back is considered as commensalism.

Reason (R) : In the above association, neither of the species is benefitted.

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
• D. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Hint:

Barnacles benefit and the whale is unaffected, so A is true but R (neither benefits) is false.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Recall commensalism:
Commensalism is an interaction where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.
It is written as (+, 0).

Step 2: Test the assertion:
Barnacles attach to the whale and get a place to live and food from water currents.
The whale is neither harmed nor helped.
So the interaction is commensalism, and Assertion (A) is true.

Step 3: Test the reason:
The reason says neither species benefits.
But the barnacles do gain, since they get space and food.
So Reason (R) is false.

Step 4: Choose the code:
A is true and R is false, so the matching code is (C).

Final Answer:
Assertion is true, Reason is false, option (C).