Predator Prey Relationships

Which of the following would demonstrate an appropriate prediction for the changes to one of the populations of organisms due to a predator/prey interaction?

• When the population of sharks decreases because of fishing, the population of small fish will decrease.

• After a period of heavy rainfall and warmer temperatures, the population of mosquitos will increase.

• During hunting season, when many deer are killed by hunters, the mountain lion population will decline.

• When abundant resources allow the population of mice to increase, the population of snakes will decrease.

The relationships that organisms have with one another are an important part of the balance among species within ecosystems. Which type of symbiotic relationship occurs when ecological niches overlap, and multiple organisms seek the same resources?

• Parasitism

• Commensalism

• Predation

• Competition

Predation and parasitism are similar because in both predation and parasitism -

• both organisms receive a benefit.

• one organism is harmed while the other benefits.

• one organism is neither harmed nor benefits.

• both organisms are harmed in some way.

Which type of symbiotic relationship is shown below? Explain your answer. Two line graphs are shown. On the left, organisms living separately: the number of organisms for Organism 1 and Organism 2 increases gradually over 6 months. On the right, organisms living together: both Organism 1 and Organism 2 increase more rapidly over 6 months.

Which type of symbiotic relationship is shown below? Explain your answer. Two line graphs are shown. On the left, organisms living separately: the number of organisms for Organism 1 and Organism 2 increases gradually over 6 months. On the right, organisms living together: Organism 1 increases sharply while Organism 2 declines over 6 months.