Describe mutualism in detail.

(N/A) Mutualism is an interaction that confers benefits on both the interacting species.
- Lichens: $A$ mutualistic relationship between a fungus and photosynthesizing algae or cyanobacteria.
- Mycorrhizae: $A$ mutualistic relationship between fungi and the roots of higher plants. Fungi absorb essential nutrients from the soil,and in return,the plant provides energy-yielding carbohydrates to the fungi.
- Plant-Animal Interaction: This is one of the most spectacular and evolutionarily fascinating examples of mutualism. Plants need animals for pollination and the dispersal of seeds.
- Animals are rewarded for their services in the form of pollen,nectar,juices,fruits,and seeds.
- In many species of fig trees,there is a tight one-to-one relationship with a specific pollinator species of wasp.
- The fig species is pollinated only by its partner wasp and no other species.
- The female wasp uses the fruit not only as an oviposition (egg-laying) site but also uses the developing seeds within the fruit to nourish its larvae.
- The wasp pollinates the fig inflorescence while searching for suitable egg-laying sites.
Mutual relationship between fig tree and wasp: $(a)$ Fig flower is pollinated by a wasp. $(b)$ Wasp laying eggs in a fig fruit.