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Biology Question 97 – NEET-UG 2025

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Epiphytes that are growing on a mango branch is an example of which of the following?

Recall the different types of interactions between species, such as mutualism, commensalism, predation, and amensalism.

Step 1: Define Epiphytes and their Interaction✦ Active

Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants (the host) for physical support and access to sunlight, but they do not parasitize the host or derive nutrients from it. In the given example, epiphytes growing on a mango branch use the mango tree for support.

Step 2: Evaluate the Impact on Each Organism○ Expand

The epiphyte benefits from the interaction by gaining a suitable habitat and better exposure to light. The mango tree, which serves as the host, is neither significantly harmed nor benefited by the epiphyte's presence. It simply provides a surface for growth.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember that true parasites derive nutrients from their host, which epiphytes do not.

Step 3: Classify the Interaction Type○ Expand

An ecological interaction where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited is defined as commensalism. Therefore, epiphytes growing on a mango branch exemplify commensalism.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Distinguish commensalism from mutualism (both benefit), predation (one benefits, other is harmed/killed), and amensalism (one is harmed, other is unaffected).

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