Describing the term mutualism

Question

What do you mean by the term mutualism?

Answer 1

Mutualism is defined as the ecological interaction where both the participants are benefitted and that is obligatory for their survival. Mutualism is a harmonious (positive) ecological interaction. Mutualism is also termed as symbiosis. Examples of mutualism are: the association between microorganisms which digest the cellulose and the ruminants or insects inside which they live; the lichens made by the algae or cyanobacteria which form organic material for fungi and absorb the water with their help; nitrifying bacteria of the genus Rhizobium that are associated to the provide nitrogen to these plants.

Symbiosis and Other Interactions - Image Diversity: mutualism.