NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the case of barnacles and whales, only the barnacles benefit from attaching to the whales, but at no biological cost to the whale. This type of symbiotic relationship is known as commensalism. In this case, attaching to the whales gives the barnacles a stable place to live, a free ride, and access to plenty of food.

Detailed explanation-2: -Commensalism is a relationship which is beneficial to one organism and the other is unaffected. Barnacles growing on the back of a whale, gets protection and more access to food due to its relationship with the whale, while the whale is unaffected by this relationship therefore this relationship is commensalism.

Detailed explanation-3: -Commensalism describes a situation where only one species benefits from the relationship without causing any significant harm to the other. In the case of barnacles and whales, it’s the barnacles that benefit from the relationship.