What is mutualism? examples.
Mutualism describes a type of mutually beneficial relationship between organisms of different species. It is a symbiotic relationship in which two species interact with each other, and in some cases rely entirely on a partner for survival.
Examples:
1. Bee and flower. Bees fly from flower to flower, collecting nectar, which they convert into food. When they land in a flower, they attach some pollen to their hairy bodies, and when they land in the next flower, some of the pollen from the first is rubbed, pollinating the plant. This benefits the plants. In this reciprocal relationship, the bees receive food, and the flowering plants begin to multiply.
2. Spider crab and algae. Spider crabs live in shallow areas of the ocean floor, and algae live on the backs of crabs, making crabs mix with the environment and are invisible to predators. Algae have a good place to live, while crabs have camouflage.
3. Bacteria and humans. A certain type of bacteria lives in the intestines of humans and many other animals. A person cannot digest all the food he eats. Bacteria eat food that humans cannot digest, and partially digest it. Bacteria benefit from food, and a person benefits from the ability to digest the food they eat.
