An association between two individuals or populations where both are benefitted and where neither can survive without the other is

The correct answer is C, mutualism. Mutualism is an association between two individuals or populations where both are benefitted and where neither can survive without the other.

Competition is an interaction between two or more organisms where each is trying to obtain a resource that is in limited supply.

Commensalism is an interaction between two organisms where one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited.

Protocooperation is an interaction between two organisms where both benefit, but neither is essential to the other’s survival.

Here are some examples of mutualism:

• Lichens are a mutualistic association between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium. The fungus provides the alga or cyanobacterium with a place to live and protection from the environment, while the alga or cyanobacterium provides the fungus with food.
• Termites and their gut bacteria are a mutualistic association. The termites provide the bacteria with a place to live and food, while the bacteria break down the cellulose in the wood that the termites eat, making it digestible for the termites.
• Clownfish and sea anemones are a mutualistic association. The clownfish live among the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone, which protect the clownfish from predators. The clownfish, in turn, help to clean the sea anemone of parasites.

Here are some examples of competition:

• Two deer competing for a patch of grass.
• Two plants competing for sunlight.
• Two bacteria competing for a limited supply of nutrients.

Here are some examples of commensalism:

• A remora fish that attaches itself to a shark and feeds on the scraps of food that the shark leaves behind.
• A barnacle that attaches itself to a whale and rides along for the ride.
• A housefly that feeds on the food that humans leave behind.

Here are some examples of protocooperation:

• Bees and flowers. Bees collect nectar from flowers, which they use to make honey. The flowers, in turn, are pollinated by the bees.
• Some species of birds and fish that clean each other of parasites.
• Some species of trees that share roots.