What is symbiosis?

Symbiosis refers to a long-term interaction between two different species, which can occur in various forms, including mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. In mutualism, both species benefit from the interaction, while in commensalism, one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Parasitism, on the other hand, benefits one species at the expense of the other. This definition highlights the enduring nature of the relationship, distinguishing it from short-term interactions or competitive scenarios.

The other options describe different biological interactions: a brief interaction would suggest a fleeting encounter rather than a sustained relationship, competition among species pertains to scenarios where entities vie for the same resources, and genetic exchange typically refers to processes such as horizontal gene transfer rather than the broader concept of symbiosis. Therefore, the definition of symbiosis primarily aligns with the idea of prolonged interspecies interactions.