Symbiosis Quiz

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection that causes illness in an infected mammal. The disease is transmitted by ticks to deer. What type of symbiosis occurs between the deer and the tick?

• mutualistic because the bacteria gets to live in the deer

• competition because the flea and deer both want the bacteria

• commensalism because the flea transmits the disease to the deer

• parasitic because the deer is harmed to keep the bacteria alive

The oxpecker is a bird that eats the insects and parasites off the back of a zebra or rhino. What type of a symbiotic relationship is this?

• mutualism because both organisms benefit

• parasitism because one organism is hurt but one is helped

• commensalism because there is no effect on the oxpecker

• competition because the rhino and oxpecker both want the parasites

Humans have “good” bacteria in their digestive tract. These microorganisms assist humans in digesting food. The human gut is the ideal environment for these bacteria to live in. What type of a symbiotic relationship is this?

• mutualism

• parasitism

• commensalism

• competition

Bees feed on nectar in flowers. To reach the nectar, a bee must fly deep inside the flower. Inside the flower are pollen grains that are produced by the flower's male reproductive organs. The pollen sticks to the furry parts of the bee's body, and the bee transports the pollen as it visits other flowers, allowing the other flowers to be fertilized. Which of these relationships best describes the interaction between the bee and the flower?

• mutualism

• parasitism

• commensalism

• competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Which of the following is an interaction in which one organism benefits and the other is harmed?

• mutualism
• parasitism
• commensalism
• competition

As bison walk through grass, insects become active and fly up in a cloud. Which statement describes a MUTUALISTIC result of the buffalo's actions?

• Birds eat the bugs which usually bite and sting the buffalo.

• Birds eat the bugs. The bugs do not interact with the buffalo.

• Lonely male buffalo follow the cloud of bugs to find mates. Sometimes fights occur.

• Lost buffalo find the herd again.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Which of he following interactions demonstrates a PARASITIC relationship?

• A mosquito sucking blood from a warm blooded animal.
• A group of baby otters floating together to help warm each other in the cold waters.
• Many fish swimming together to protect each other from predators.
• Two hyenas fighting over a female to mate with.

Beavers build dams out of fallen sticks and timber. These dams are shelter for the beavers and create flooded areas that can provide water for forest animals and support new populations of fish and water dwelling animals. What type of symbiotic relationship is this?

• mutualism
• parasitism
• commensalism
• competition

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Epiphytes are a class of plants that grow in the crooks of tree branches. They simply use the tree branches as a way to be higher—closer to the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. The trees do not benefit or get hurt by this interaction. What type of symbiotic relationship is described here?

• mutualism

• parasitism

• commensalism

• competition

The stork uses its saw-like bill to cut up the dead animals it eats. As a result, the dead animal carcass is accessible to some bees for food and egg layers. The stork is not aware that the bees are eating the food scraps. What type of relationship is being described?

• mutualism- the storks get help eating the dead animals

• parasitism- the storks have food stolen from them by the bees

• commensalism- storks aren't affected but their actions help the bees

• competition- the storks fight the bees for food