Question

An association which is not harmful to both the parties is known as ______.

Answer 1

An association which is not harmful to both the parties is known as mutualism (symbiosis).

Explanation:

Mutualism is an interaction between two species that benefits both, but it is not obligatory for their survival. Unlike parasitism or competition, in mutualism, both organisms gain an advantage without harming each other, and the association is often facultative rather than permanent. An example is the association between a hermit crab and a sea anemone; the crab benefits from protection while carrying the anemone, and the anemone benefits by being transported to fresh feeding sites.