Many animals, including the brittle star and snapping shrimp, make their homes inside sea sponges. Here, the animals not only find safe shelter, but also have a constant flow of well-oxygenated water, and may even eat the substance produced by the sponges. The sponges are not affected in any way by the presence of these animals. Which type of relationship does this represent?

Question

Layne Potts

Biology

15 February, 00:16

Many animals, including the brittle star and snapping shrimp, make their homes inside sea sponges. Here, the animals not only find safe shelter, but also have a constant flow of well-oxygenated water, and may even eat the substance produced by the sponges. The sponges are not affected in any way by the presence of these animals. Which type of relationship does this represent?

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Smirk · Answer 1

Commensalism is a relationship between two organisms in which one organism receives benefits from another organism and the other organism is not affected (does not benefit and is not harmed). From the question given above, brittle star and snapping shrimp benefits from sea sponges while the sea sponges are not affected in any way by the presence of these animals. This type of relationship represents commensalism.