Question

About 10% (or more) of us carry stapylococcus aureus on our skin as part of our normal flora. upon wounding, these bacteria can invade the bloodstream and lead to a variety of diseases. this is one example of an opportunistic infection. if you are one of the 10% affected and have no disease symptoms at this time, then this symbiosis is categorized as a ________.

Answer 1

i believe the answer is commensalistic symbiosis

The presence of stapylococcus aureus in skin as normal flora doesn't give the human host any benefit, while stapylococcus aureus could find food on the human skin. Since only one side has got the profit, the symbiosis would be called commensalistic symbiosis. It was different for the normal flora inside the intestine because the host got some benefit, thus it was mutualistic symbiosis.