UPSC 2021EnvironmentModerate

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.

A
1 and 2 only
B
2 and 3 only
C
1 and 3 only
D
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer

Explanation

All three groups exhibit symbiosis: Cnidarians (like corals) partner with zooxanthellae, Fungi form lichens with algae or mycorrhizae with plant roots, and Protozoa live in the guts of termites and ruminants to aid digestion. Options excluding Protozoa are often tempting because their symbiotic roles are internal and less visible than the structural examples of corals or lichens, yet they are ecologically vital. The core concept being tested is biological interactions and the prevalence of mutualism across diverse taxonomic groups.

Biological InteractionsSymbiotic RelationshipsSymbiotic relationshipCnidariansFungiProtozoazooxanthellaemycorrhizaetermites

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