Mutualism, Parasitism, Commensalism

Which of the examples below can BEST be described as mutualism between animals?

• A tapeworm lives in the intestine of a bird and consumes the food that the bird has eaten

• Mountain lions and wolves fight each other for the same deer

• A bird eats parasites off a rhinoceros while the rhinoceros provides protection to the bird

• Rats live in the garbage dump of a town and rarely interact with people

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Cattle egrets forage (feed) in fields among cattle. The egret gets easy access to flying insects stirred up by the cattle, and the cattle don't care if they are there or not.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• competition

• parasitism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

A tapeworm and a cat have this type of relationship.

• mutualism

• parasitism

• commensalism

• competition

Which symbols best describe parasitism?

• +, +

• +, -

• +, 0

• -, 0

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

Bromeliads and trees are in a commensal relationship because: (choose 2)

• the tree provides shelter and an environment for the bromeliad

• the tree is harmed from the bromeliad taking food from it

• the tree is not harmed or helped by the bromeliad

• the tree takes nutrients from the bromeliad

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Hermit crabs live in shells that snails don't use anymore. The hermit crab gets a nice free home. This is an example of (a)   .

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Some species of barnacles attach themselves to sea turtles or whales. As the whales or sea turtles travel, the barnacles gain access to food in nutrient-rich waters. Their host neither benefits nor is harmed by its riders.

• Mutualism

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

Bromeliads and trees are in a commensal relationship because: (choose 2)

• the tree provides shelter and an environment for the bromeliad

• the tree is harmed from the bromeliad taking food from it

• the tree is not harmed or helped by the bromeliad

• the tree takes nutrients from the bromeliad

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Hermit crabs live in shells that snails don't use anymore. The hermit crab gets a nice free home. This neither harms nor helps the snails.

• mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

What is the main difference between commensalism and mutualism?

• In commensalism, both species benefit; in mutualism, only one does.

• In mutualism, both species benefit; in commensalism, only one does.

• In commensalism, both species are harmed; in mutualism, both benefit.

• There is no significant difference; they are the same.