Q.137 Botany ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active

NEET 2023 Botany Question 137 Solution

Topic: Organisms and Populations · Official NTA Booklet Code G5

Question

Match List I (Interaction) with List II (Species A and B). List I: A. Mutualism; B. Commensalism; C. Amensalism; D. Parasitism. List II: I. +(A), 0(B); II. −(A), 0(B); III. +(A), −(B); IV. +(A), +(B). Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

✓

Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key

Option (3) : A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III

📚 Organisms and Populations Easy

📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup

Interaction Matrix Signs (+ = benefit, - = harm, 0 = neutral)

⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Ecological Interaction Sign Matrix

⏱️ Save ~25 seconds

Match standard signs: Mutualism (+, +); Commensalism (+, 0); Amensalism (-, 0); Parasitism (+, -). Look for A-IV and B-I to eliminate all incorrect options instantly!

1 Mutualism: Both species benefit -> +(A), +(B) -> IV.

2 Commensalism: One benefits, other neutral -> +(A), 0(B) -> I.

3 Amensalism: One harmed, other neutral -> -(A), 0(B) -> II.

4 Parasitism: Parasite benefits, host harmed -> +(A), -(B) -> III.

5 Match combination: A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III -> Option (3).

🛡️

Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: Canonical NCERT Organisms and Populations interspecific interaction sign matrix.

📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

NCERT Population Interaction Table Analysis

Biotic interactions between two interacting species (A and B) are formalized via positive (+), negative (-), and neutral (0) fitness effects:

\begin{aligned} \text{\textbf{A. Mutualism:}} & \quad +(A),\, +(B) \implies \mathbf{\text{IV}} \\[3pt] \text{\textbf{B. Commensalism:}} & \quad +(A),\, 0(B) \implies \mathbf{\text{I}} \\[3pt] \text{\textbf{C. Amensalism:}} & \quad -(A),\, 0(B) \implies \mathbf{\text{II}} \\[3pt] \text{\textbf{D. Parasitism:}} & \quad +(A),\, -(B) \implies \mathbf{\text{III}} \end{aligned}

Step 2

Corroboration with Ecological Examples

Examples include: Lichens/Mycorrhizae (Mutualism); Orchid on mango tree / Barnacles on whale (Commensalism); Penicillium inhibiting bacteria / Grazing cattle trampling grass (Amensalism); Cuscuta on host hedge (Parasitism).

Step 3

Option Elimination

A maps to IV (eliminates Option 1). B maps to I (eliminates Options 2 and 4). This uniquely leaves Option (3) as the only correct match.

⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan

1 1

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Mismatches Mutualism with +(A), -(B).

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing mutualism with parasitism/predation.

2 2

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Inverts Commensalism with Amensalism signs.

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing beneficial neutral (+, 0) with detrimental neutral (-, 0).

3 3

✓ 100% Correct

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Perfect 1-to-1 match with the canonical NCERT population interaction matrix.

💡

Why this is airtight: None; textbook matrix recall.

4 4

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect pairings for B, C, and D.

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Scrambling interaction signs.

⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Commensalism (+, 0) vs. Amensalism (-, 0) Sign Trap

Both interactions feature a zero (0) for one species. Students often misremember which one receives the plus (+) and which receives the minus (-).

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Commensalism = positive (+, 0). Amensalism = negative/adversity (-, 0).

📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

NCERT Biology · Organisms and Populations Standard Benchmark

Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"In mutualism both species benefit; in commensalism one benefits and other is unaffected; in amensalism one is harmed and other unaffected; in parasitism one benefits and other is harmed."

Syllabus Focus: Population Interactions

✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

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NEET 2023 Botany Question 137 Solution

Question

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Ecological Interaction Sign Matrix

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

NCERT Population Interaction Table Analysis

Corroboration with Ecological Examples

Option Elimination

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

NTA Trap Alert: Commensalism (+, 0) vs. Amensalism (-, 0) Sign Trap

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

🔗 Related Questions — Organisms and Populations

Population Growth Rate Calculation & Zero Growth State

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Competitive Exclusion & Abingdon Tortoise Extinction

Classification of Species Interactions by Effect Signs (+, -, 0)

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