Question

Which of the following population interactions is widely used in medical science for the production of antibiotics?

• A. Commensalism
• B. Mutualism
• C. Parasitism
• D. Amensalism

Hint:

Amensalism is often described as \((0,-)\): one organism is unaffected while the other is harmed. Antibiotic production by fungi and bacteria is a classic example.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Amensalism is a type of population interaction where one organism is harmed while the other organism remains unaffected. This interaction is important in microbiology and medical science, especially in the production of antibiotics.

Step 1: Understand amensalism. In amensalism, one species produces substances that inhibit or destroy another species, while the producer itself is not harmed.

Step 2: Example related to antibiotics. A classic example is the fungus Penicillium producing the antibiotic penicillin, which inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Step 3: Application in medicine. Many antibiotics used in medical science are derived from microorganisms that suppress the growth of other microorganisms through amensalistic interactions.

Step 4: Conclusion. Thus, the population interaction widely used in antibiotic production is amensalism.