Which type of association is shown by a fern growing on the stem of oil...

Explanation

In this Biology question, we are asked about the type of association that is shown by a fern growing on the stem of an oil palm. The options given are epiphytism, saprophytism, commensalism, and symbiosis. Epiphytism is a type of association where one plant grows on the surface of another plant, usually on a branch or stem, without harming the host plant. This association benefits the epiphyte plant as it gains access to sunlight and nutrients from the air and rain. Therefore, Option A (epiphytism) is the correct answer to this question because a fern growing on the stem of an oil palm is an example of epiphytism. Saprophytism, on the other hand, is a type of association where a plant obtains nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter. Commensalism is a type of association where one organism benefits, and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Symbiosis, on the other hand, is a close and long-term interaction between two different biological species, where both organisms benefit from each other. In summary, the correct answer to this Biology question is Option A (epiphytism) because a fern growing on the stem of an oil palm is an example of epiphytism, a type of association where one plant grows on the surface of another plant without harming it.