In terms of species interaction, what relationship is characterized by both organisms benefiting from each other?

The relationship characterized by both organisms benefiting from each other is known as mutualism. In this type of interaction, both species are engaged in a partnership that enhances their survival, reproduction, or overall fitness.

For example, bees and flowering plants exhibit mutualism. Bees obtain nectar from the flowers, which serves as food, while simultaneously aiding in the plant's reproduction by transferring pollen from one flower to another. This symbiotic relationship illustrates how mutualism operates—each organism gains something vital that supports their life cycle.

In contrast, other types of interactions do not involve mutual benefits. Commensalism describes a relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Parasitism involves one organism benefiting at the expense of the other, usually harming the host in the process. Predation reflects a relationship where one organism (the predator) benefits by consuming another organism (the prey), which is ultimately harmed. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why mutualism stands out as a mutually beneficial interaction.