Ecological Relationships and Behaviors

Which of these best demonstrates mutualism between certain types of bacteria and humans?

• intestinal bacteria obtain nutrients from the gut and produce vitamin K used by humans

• bacteria become resistant to antibacterial medication that humans use for treatments

• invasive bacteria at an area of injury produce toxins that damage healthy tissues of the human body

• bacteria in improperly prepared food is consumed by humans, causing food poisoning

In North American forests, two species of birds, nuthatches and brown creepers, forage on the same tree for insects. Brown creepers feed on insects found near the bottom of the tree trunk while nuthatches feed on insects in the top part of the tree.

The difference in foraging behavior most likely affects the nuthatches and brown creepers by

• allowing the birds to avoid many types of predators

• reducing competition between the birds for resources

• preventing the birds from interbreeding with each other

• establishing dominance between the birds for nesting sites

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Four common relationships between organisms are listed in the box. Which statements best describe these relationships?

• Relationships 1 and 4 are examples of mutualism

  Relationship 2 is an example of commensalism

  Relationship 3 is an example of parasitism

• Relationships 1 and 2 are examples of commensalism

  Relationships 3 and 4 are examples of mutualism

• Relationship 1 is an example of commensalism

  Relationships 2 and 4 are examples of mutualism

  Relationship 3 is an example of predation

• Relationships 1, 2 and 4 are examples of mutualism

  Relationship 3 is an example of parasitism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Some relationships between different organisms are shown in the table. Which table correctly identifies each type of interaction described?

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• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

In any environment or ecosystem, organisms can have several different types of relationships. Three types of relationships are described in the table.

Which of these correctly describes the relationships between the organisms?

• X: Mutualism

  Y: Parasitism

  Z: Commensalism

• X: Commensalism

  Y: Mutualism

  Z: Parasitism

• X: Parasitism

  Y: Commensalism

  Z: Mutualism

• X: Commensalism

  Y: Parasitism

  Z: Mutualism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2