A relationship between two organisms in which one benefits and the other is harmed is known as?

A relationship between two organisms in which one benefits and the other is harmed is known as?

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

Answer: (D)

When one organism benefits at the expense of another, the relationship is parasitism. The parasite gains nutrients or shelter by living on or inside the host, while the host suffers reduced health, growth, or reproductive success. Examples include ticks feeding on animals or tapeworms in the digestive system. This is different from predation, where the recipient is killed and eaten; it’s also different from mutualism, where both partners gain, and from commensalism, where one benefits and the other is largely unaffected. So the described relationship fits parasitism.

When one organism benefits at the expense of another, the relationship is parasitism. The parasite gains nutrients or shelter by living on or inside the host, while the host suffers reduced health, growth, or reproductive success. Examples include ticks feeding on animals or tapeworms in the digestive system. This is different from predation, where the recipient is killed and eaten; it’s also different from mutualism, where both partners gain, and from commensalism, where one benefits and the other is largely unaffected. So the described relationship fits parasitism.