Organisms and Populations — BIOLOGY STD 12 Science — Question

Commensalism : In this interaction only one of two is benefitted but no one suffers any loss. Epiphytes despite being autotrophic, grow on other plants. They absorb water through velamen roots and synthesize their own food by the process of photosynthesis. Examples orchids and benda. Green algae Basicladia grows on the shell of turtles found in freshwater. It is an example of epizoic.
Lianas are woody climbers which grow on the land in soil and climb up with the support of other trees and spread over their tops to get proper sunlight. Examples are tinospora, bignonia, bougainvillea.
Mutualism : In this interaction, both of the species are mutually benefitted and cooperation of both is necessary for their survival. Example—Lichen, symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal association. There is an association between the roots of higher plants and fungi which is called mycarorhizial association. Example : pinus, oak etc. In this association fungus absorb water and minerals and make them available to the plant and in return roots of plant provide food to fungi. Roots of such plants have lack of root hairs.