UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?

1. Cnidarians
2. Fungi
3. Protozoa
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Explanation:

• A natural relationship in which two different organisms live together and share shelter and nutrients is called as a symbiotic relationship.
  
  
• The Cnidarians have a symbiotic relationship with Dinoflagellate algae. So, point 1 is correct.
  
  
• Certain fungi live in the roots of trees. The tree provides nutrients to the fungus and, in return, receives help from it to take up water and nutrients from the soil. This association is a symbiotic relationship. So, point 2 is correct.
  
  
• There is a close mutualistic association between protozoans and unicellular symbionts like bacteria, cyanobacteria, and algae and also with the multicellular organism like ruminants, lower termites, wood-eating cockroaches, and plants. So, point 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Ecology