Which symbiotic relationship involves both species benefiting?

In a mutualistic relationship, both species involved benefit from the interaction. This type of symbiosis occurs when the actions of one organism provide a resource or benefit that supports the survival or reproduction of the other, while simultaneously receiving a benefit in return. A classic example of mutualism is the relationship between bees and flowering plants; bees receive nectar as food, while the plants benefit from pollination, which enables them to reproduce.

In contrast, commensalism involves one species benefiting while the other is neither helped nor harmed, such as barnacles attaching to a whale. Parasitism is a relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of the other, as seen when ticks feed on the blood of mammals. Predation describes a relationship where one organism preys on another, leading to one benefiting while the other is harmed or killed.

Therefore, mutualism stands out as the symbiotic relationship that distinctly emphasizes benefits for both organisms involved.