What type of cellular interaction is characterized by both organisms benefiting?

Mutualism is characterized by interactions where both organisms involved benefit from the relationship. In this type of interaction, each organism provides some form of advantage to the other, which can enhance survival, reproduction, or growth for both parties.

A classic example of mutualism is the relationship between bees and flowering plants. Bees obtain nectar and pollen as food from flowers, while the plants benefit from the pollination services provided by the bees, which increases their chances of reproduction. Another example is the relationship between clownfish and sea anemones, where clownfish find protection among the anemones' stinging tentacles, while the anemones receive nutrients from the clownfish's waste.

In contrast, commensalism involves one organism benefiting while the other is neither helped nor harmed, parasitism involves one organism benefiting at the expense of the other, and amensalism refers to a situation where one organism is harmed and the other is unaffected. Thus, mutualism is the only interaction among the choices given where both organisms gain an advantage.