Q.97 Botany ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active

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NEET 2025 Botany Question 97 Solution

Topic: Organisms and Populations · Official NTA Booklet Code 45

Question

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

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Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key

Option (1) : Commensalism

📚 Organisms and Populations Easy

📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup

Interacting Species Epiphytes (e.g. orchid) and Mango tree

Nature of Association Epiphyte grows on mango branch for physical support and sunlight without absorbing nutrients from the host

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The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ (+, 0) Interaction Shortcut

⏱️ Save ~20 seconds

Orchid epiphyte benefits from support and sunlight (+). Mango tree is neither harmed nor benefited (0). An interaction of type (+, 0) is COMMENSALISM! ⟹ Commensalism!

1 Analyze the interaction between the epiphyte (e.g. orchid) and the mango tree:

2 Benefit to epiphyte: Gaining elevated physical perch for sunlight and moisture from humid air (+).

3 Effect on mango tree: The epiphyte does not tap into the vascular tissue of mango or steal nutrients/water; the tree is unharmed and receives no benefit (0).

4 Interaction type (+, 0) defines COMMENSALISM.

5 Contrast with alternatives:

6 - Mutualism: (+, +)

7 - Predation: (+, -)

8 - Amensalism: (-, 0)

9 - Parasitism: (+, -)

10 Select Option (1) Commensalism in under 5 seconds!

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Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: Interspecific Population Interactions & Mutualism (NCERT Biology · Organisms and Populations).

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Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Definition of Commensalism in Population Ecology

Commensalism is a positive interspecific interaction in which one population is benefited while the other remains unaffected:

\text{Commensalism: } (+, \; 0) \text{ Interaction}

• The benefiting partner is the commensal; the neutral partner is the host.

Step 2

Examine the Epiphyte-Mango Tree Relationship

Evaluate the ecological exchange between epiphyte and mango branch:

\text{Epiphyte (Orchid)} \longrightarrow (+) \text{ [Access to light and space]}, \quad \text{Mango tree} \longrightarrow (0) \text{ [Neither harmed nor helped]}

• Epiphytes are non-parasitic space-dwellers; they synthesize their own food via photosynthesis and absorb atmospheric moisture via hygroscopic velamen roots.
• They do not produce haustoria or draw sap from the mango tree.

Step 3

Confirm with NCERT Canonical Examples

NCERT explicitly cites two benchmark examples of commensalism:

(1) \text{ Orchid on mango branch}, \quad (2) \text{ Barnacles on the back of a whale}

• Thus the interaction is unequivocally Commensalism, matching Option (1).

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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 A

✓ 100% Correct

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

100% correct. (+, 0) interaction where orchid benefits and mango is unaffected.

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Why this is airtight: None; textbook ecological classification.

2 B

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Mutualism requires both species to benefit (+, +); the mango tree receives no benefit.

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Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Thinking both species benefit.

3 C

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Predation is a (+, -) interaction involving killing of prey.

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Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing epiphyte with predator.

4 D

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Amensalism is a (-, 0) interaction where one species is harmed while the other is unaffected.

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

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NTA Trap Alert: Confusing Epiphytes with Parasitic Plants (Cuscuta)

Students sometimes confuse epiphytes with parasites like Cuscuta (dodder) or Loranthus. Parasites develop haustoria to rob food and water (+, - interaction: parasitism). Epiphytes only use the branch for MECHANICAL SUPPORT (+, 0 interaction: commensalism)!

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Epiphytes = Physical support only (Commensalism); Parasites = Nutrient theft (Parasitism)!

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Core NEET Syllabus Standard

NEET Biology Core Syllabus · Organisms and Populations Standard Benchmark

Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"An orchid growing as an epiphyte on a mango branch is a classic (+, 0) commensalism."

Syllabus Focus: Population Interactions: Commensalism

✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

Orchid gets light (+), Mango doesn’t care (0) ⟹ Commensalism (Option 1)!

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NEET 2025 Botany Question 97 Solution

Question

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ (+, 0) Interaction Shortcut

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Definition of Commensalism in Population Ecology

Examine the Epiphyte-Mango Tree Relationship

Confirm with NCERT Canonical Examples

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

NTA Trap Alert: Confusing Epiphytes with Parasitic Plants (Cuscuta)

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

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