Organisms and Populations — BIOLOGY STD 12 Science — Question

Mutualism is an interaction that confers benefits on both the interacting species. Two examples where organisms involved are commercially exploited in agriculture are mycorrhizae and lichen.Examples:

1. Lichens: Represent an intimate mutua.listic relationship between a fungus and photosynthesising algae or cyanobacteria. Here, the fungus helps in the absorption of nutrients and provides protection, while algae prepares the food.
2. Mycorrhizae: Show close mutual association between fungi and the roots of higher plants. Fungi help the plant in absorption of nutrients, while the plant provides food for the fungus, e.g. many members of genus Glomus.