Question

Spider crabs live in the shallow regions of the ocean floor. Algae tend to grow on the surface of spider crabs. The algae provide the crabs protection from predators by camouflaging them. The spider crabs give the algae shelter. What does this description suggest?
1. The algae are parasites of the spider crabs.
2. The algae and the spider crabs have a mutualistic relationship.
3. The spider crabs are commensals, and the algae are parasites.
4. The spider crabs benefit from the algae living on them.
5. The spider crabs are parasites of the algae.

Answer 1

the given description suggests that the algae and spider crabs have a mutualistic relationship that is benefiting each other.

Answer 2

The algae and the spider crabs have a mutualistic relationship.

Option 2

Explanation:

A mutualistic relationship is a relationship where two organisms from different species work in cohesion symbiotically and benefit each other by it. Normally, such organisms evolve to accept each other symbiotically because they have been a part of each other’s environment in the later times.

They have adapted to be working together for sustaining their life and becoming beneficiaries for each other in the process and continuing the same for a long period. A basic example of such a relationship is of a bee and a flower.