Question

Match List-I with List-II.

List-I	List-II
A. Both species are harmed	I. Predation
B. One species is harmed and the other is benefited	II. Mutualism
C. Both species are benefited	III. Competition
D. One is benefited while the other has no effect	IV. Commensalism

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV
• B. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
• C. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
• D. A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III

Hint:

Competition and mutualism are symmetrical interactions (\(-\),\(-\) and \(+\),\(+\)), while predation and commensalism are asymmetrical. Spleen-plant relationships and lichen associations are famous examples of mutualistic interactions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:

• Biological interactions between populations can be beneficial (\(+\)), harmful (\(-\)), or neutral (\(0\)): itemize

• Competition: (\(-\), \(-\)) Both species are negatively affected.

• Predation: (\(+\), \(-\)) One species benefits by feeding on the other.

• Mutualism: (\(+\), \(+\)) Both species benefit.

• Commensalism: (\(+\), \(0\)) One species benefits while the other is unaffected.
itemize

Step 1: Match each description to its biological interaction term
A. Both species are harmed (\(-\), \(-\)) \(\rightarrow\)

III. Competition
B. One species is harmed and the other is benefited (\(+\), \(-\)) \(\rightarrow\)

I. Predation
C. Both species are benefited (\(+\), \(+\)) \(\rightarrow\)

II. Mutualism
D. One is benefited while the other has no effect (\(+\), \(0\)) \(\rightarrow\)

IV. Commensalism

Step 2: Identify the correct option matching the list
The sequence is A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV, which matches option (1).