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Worksheets

Symbiotic Relationships

Total questions: 52

Worksheet time: 1hrs 5mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unharmed...

a)

Mutualism

b)

Commensalism

c)

Parasitism

2.

A relationship between two organisms in which both organisms benefit.

a)

Mutualism

b)

Commensalism

c)

Parasitism

3.

A relationship between two organisms in which one is benefited and the other is harmed.

a)

Mutualism

b)

Commensalism

c)

Parasitism

4.

Ostriches and gazelles eat together. They both watch for predators and danger. Since they see things differently, they each can identify threats the other animal may not see. Both species are benefited.

a)

mutualism

b)

commensalism

c)

parasitism

5.

Yucca flowers are pollinated by yucca moths. The moths lay their eggs in the flowers and the eggs hatch. The larvae eat some of the seeds, and spread them around. Both species are benefited.

a)

mutualism

b)

commensalism

c)

parasitism

6.

Mistletoe takes water and nutrients from the oak tree. This is good for the mistletoe but bad for the tree.

a)

mutualism

b)

commensalism

c)

parasitism

7.

A bison walks through the grass, insects fly up and are seen and eaten by egrets. This neither harms nor helps the bison, but it is easier for the egrets to get food.

a)

mutualism

b)

parasitism

c)

commensalism

8.

A flea feeds on a mouse’s blood. This is good for the flea but bad for the mouse.

a)

mutualism

b)

commensalism

c)

parasitism

9.

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.

a)

mutualism

b)

commensalism

c)

parasitism

10.

Birds build nests out of dead twigs and leaves. They build their nests in living trees. This doesn't hurt the tree.

a)

mutualism

b)

commensalism

c)

parasitism

11.
A coyote captures, kills, and eats a rabbit. What type of symbiotic relationship is this?
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
parasitism
d)
predation
12.
A tapeworm lives in the intestines of a dog. It absorbs food the dog has eaten and grows larger in the process. The dog becomes weaker from malnutrition. What type of symbiotic relationship is this?
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
parasitism
d)
predation
13.
Remoras are small fish that swim close to or attach themselves to sharks.  Remoras eat small scraps left as the sharks feed and the sharks are unaffected. 
a)
Competition
b)
Predation
c)
Mutualism
d)
Commensalism
14.
Which symbols best describe mutualism?
a)
+,+
b)
+,-
c)
+,0
d)
-,0
15.
Which symbols best describe parasitism?
a)
+,+
b)
+,-
c)
+,0
d)
-,0
16.
Which symbols best describe commensalism?
a)
+,+
b)
+,-
c)
+,0
d)
0,0
17.

Mosquitoes are parasitic with humans because: (choose 2)

a)

They feed off human blood

b)

The human host is harmed

c)

They are annoying

d)

they spread disease

18.

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

a)

the tree provides shelter and an environment for the bromeliad

b)

the tree is harmed from the bromeliad taking food from it

c)

the tree is not harmed or helped by the bromeliad

d)

the tree takes nutrients from the bromeliad

19.

Predation is similar to _______________ in that both types of relationship benefit one of the interacting species while the other is harmed.

a)

Parasitism

b)

Commensalism

c)

Mutualism

20.

Which of the following best describes a difference between a mutualistic relationship and a parasitic

relationship?

a)

Parasitism harms both organisms, while mutualism harms only one organism.

b)

Parasitism benefits only one organism, while mutualism benefits both organisms.

c)

Parasitism involves only two organisms, while mutualism involves many organisms.

d)

Parasitism continues for many generations, while mutualism is limited to one generation.

21.
Ostriches and gazelles eat together.  They both watch for predators and danger.  Since they see things differently, they each can identify threats the other animal may not see.  Both species are benefited.  
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
predation
d)
parasitism
22.
Yucca flowers are pollinated by yucca moths.  The moths lay their eggs in the flowers and the eggs hatch. The larvae eat some of the seeds, and  spread them around.  Both species are benefited.
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
parasitism
d)
competition
23.
Mistletoe takes water and nutrients from the oak tree. This is good for the mistletoe but bad for the tree.
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
parasitism
d)
competition
24.
A bison walks through the grass, insects fly up and are seen and eaten by egretsThis neither harms nor helps the bison, but it is easier for the egrets to get food.
a)
mutualism
b)
parasitsm
c)
commensalism
d)
competition
25.
A flea feeds on a mouse’s blood.  This is good for the flea but bad for the mouse.
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
parasitism
d)
competition
26.
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.
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
parasitsm
d)
predation
27.
Birds build nests out of dead twigs and leaves.  They build their nests in living trees.  This doesn't hurt the tree.
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
parasitism
d)
predation
28.
In this food web, the grasshopper and the mouse have this relationship:
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
competition
d)
predation
29.
in this food web, the lizard and the hawk have this relationship
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
predation
d)
parasitsm
30.
In this food web, the snake and the mouse have this relationship
a)
mutualism
b)
commensalism
c)
predation
d)
parasitsm
31.

Symbiosis means:

a)

relationship

b)

sharing

c)

helping

d)

harming

32.

Predation means:

a)

Living on or in another organism at that organisms expense

b)

consuming another organism

c)

getting a benefit from another organism without harming or helping it

d)

getting a benefit from another organism while helping it

e)

belonging in the same niche with limited resources

33.

Parasitism means:

a)

Living on or in another organism at that organisms expense

b)

consuming another organism

c)

getting a benefit from another organism without harming or helping it

d)

getting a benefit from another organism while helping it

e)

belonging in the same niche with limited resources

34.

Commensalism means:

a)

Living on or in another organism at that organisms expense

b)

consuming another organism

c)

getting a benefit from another organism without harming or helping it

d)

getting a benefit from another organism while helping it

e)

belonging in the same niche with limited resources

35.

mutualism means:

a)

Living on or in another organism at that organisms expense

b)

consuming another organism

c)

getting a benefit from another organism without harming or helping it

d)

getting a benefit from another organism while helping it

e)

belonging in the same niche with limited resources

36.

competition means:

a)

Living on or in another organism at that organisms expense

b)

consuming another organism

c)

getting a benefit from another organism without harming or helping it

d)

getting a benefit from another organism while helping it

e)

belonging in the same niche with limited resources

37.

Define the relationship: Sea anemone and clown fish

a)

Parasitism

b)

Predation

c)

Commensalism

d)

Mutualism

e)

Competition

38.

The clownfish and anemone are mutualistic because:

a)

the clown fish gets protection

b)

the anemone gets food

c)

they live together

d)

both get eaten by other fish

39.

Define the relationship: humans and mosquitoes

a)

Parasitism

b)

Predation

c)

Commensalism

d)

Mutualism

e)

Competition

40.

Mosquitoes are parasitic with humans because:

a)

They feed off human blood

b)

The human host is harmed

c)

They are annoying

d)

they spread disease

41.

Define the relationship: bromeliads and trees

a)

Parasitism

b)

Predation

c)

Commensalism

d)

Mutualism

e)

Competition

42.

bromeliads and trees are in a commensal relationship because

a)

the tree provides shelter and an environment for the bromeliad

b)

the tree is harmed from the bromeliad taking food from it

c)

the tree is not harmed or helped by the bromeliad

d)

the tree takes nutrients from the bromeliad

43.

Define the relationship: wasp and caterpillar

a)

Parasitism

b)

Predation

c)

Commensalism

d)

Mutualism

e)

Competition

44.

The wasp is a parasite to the caterpillar because

a)

The larvae live in the caterpillar

b)

the larvae eat the caterpillar

c)

the caterpillar takes the eggs away from the parents

d)

the caterpillar eats the flowers the wasps pollinate

45.

Define the relationship: rhino and cattle egret

a)

Parasitism

b)

Predation

c)

Commensalism

d)

Mutualism

e)

Competition

46.

The rhino and egret are in a mutualistic relationship because:

a)

the egret eats the rhino's parasites

b)

the rhino protects the egret from other predators

c)

the egret gets a free ride

d)

the rhino gets covered in mud

47.

Define the relationship: two male peacocks

a)

Parasitism

b)

Predation

c)

Commensalism

d)

Mutualism

e)

Competition

48.

The peacocks are in a competitive relationship because:

a)

they occupy the same ecological niche

b)

they both want the attention of the peahen

c)

they need to see who is biggest

d)

they need to see who is prettiest

49.

Define the relationship: giant anteater and termites

a)

Parasitism

b)

Predation

c)

Commensalism

d)

Mutualism

e)

Competition

50.

The anteater is a predator to the termites because:

a)

They eat the termites

b)

the termite population is controlled

c)

termites are a pest

d)

termites eat trees and wooden structures

51.

Which is considered the host?

a)

The larger of the two organisms

b)

The smaller of the two organisms

c)

The one "giving"/giving the most

d)

The one "taking"/taking the most

52.

Which is considered the symbiont?

a)

The larger of the two organisms

b)

The smaller of the two organisms

c)

The one "giving"/giving the most

d)

The one "taking"/taking the most