Exploring Symbiotic Relationships

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

• A lion hunting a zebra

• A bee pollinating a flower

• A tapeworm in a human intestine

• A barnacle on a whale

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Identify the type of relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed.

• Commensalism

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Competition

Explain how competition can affect the population size of two species living in the same habitat.

• It increases the population size of both species.

• It decreases the population size of both species.

• It has no effect on the population size of either species.

• It increases the population size of one species while decreasing the other.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates commensalism?

• A bird eating insects off a buffalo's back

• A remora fish attaching to a shark for transportation

• A wolf pack hunting a deer

• A fungus decomposing dead leaves

Compare and contrast mutualism and commensalism in terms of benefits to the organisms involved.

• Both relationships benefit one organism, but only mutualism benefits both.

• Both relationships harm one organism, but only commensalism benefits both.

• Mutualism benefits both organisms, while commensalism benefits one without affecting the other.

• Both relationships benefit both organisms equally.

A certain type of bird eats ticks off the backs of large mammals. What type of symbiotic relationship is this, and why?

• Parasitism, because the bird harms the mammal.

• Commensalism, because the bird benefits without affecting the mammal.

• Mutualism, because both the bird and the mammal benefit.

• Competition, because both the bird and the mammal compete for food.

Analyze the impact of parasitism on the host organism and provide an example.

• Parasitism benefits the host by providing nutrients; an example is bees and flowers.

• Parasitism harms the host by taking nutrients; an example is tapeworms in humans.

• Parasitism has no effect on the host; an example is barnacles on whales.

• Parasitism benefits the host by cleaning it; an example is birds eating ticks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following best describes the relationship between a predator and its prey?

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Predation

• Commensalism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Evaluate the role of competition in shaping the structure of a community and provide an example.

• Competition increases biodiversity by allowing all species to thrive equally; an example is lions and zebras.

• Competition decreases biodiversity by eliminating weaker species; an example is trees competing for sunlight.

• Competition has no effect on biodiversity; an example is fish in a pond.

• Competition increases biodiversity by promoting cooperation; an example is bees and flowers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Describe how commensalism differs from parasitism in terms of the effects on the organisms involved.

• In commensalism, both organisms benefit; in parasitism, one benefits and the other is harmed.

• In commensalism, one organism benefits and the other is unaffected; in parasitism, one benefits and the other is harmed.

• In commensalism, both organisms are harmed; in parasitism, one benefits and the other is harmed.

• In commensalism, one organism is harmed and the other is unaffected; in parasitism, both are harmed.