Which term refers to a relationship between two different species where each gains benefits from the other?

The term that describes a relationship between two different species where each gains benefits from the other is mutualism. In mutualistic relationships, both species involved experience positive effects, which can be manifested through various means such as nutritional support, habitat stability, or protection against predators. An example of mutualism is the relationship between bees and flowering plants; bees obtain nectar for food while helping the plants with pollination, thereby facilitating their reproduction.

In contrast, the other terms relate to different types of interactions. Parasitism describes a relationship where one species benefits at the expense of another. Commensalism refers to a situation where one species benefits, and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Predation involves one species (the predator) benefiting by consuming another species (the prey), resulting in a negative impact on the prey species. Each of these interactions illustrates different dynamics in ecological relationships, but mutualism specifically emphasizes the reciprocity and benefit for both species involved.