wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Mutualism, Parasitism, Commensalism

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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

a)

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

b)

Mountain lions and wolves fight each other for the same deer

c)

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

d)

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

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.

a)

mutualism

b)

commensalism

c)

competition

d)

parasitism

3.

A tapeworm and a cat have this type of relationship.

a)

mutualism

b)

parasitism

c)

commensalism

d)

competition

4.

Which symbols best describe parasitism?

a)

+, +

b)

+, -

c)

+, 0

d)

-, 0

5.

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

6.

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)   .

Choose from the below words

mutualism

commensalism

parasitism

7.

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.

a)

Mutualism

b)

Parasitism

c)

Commensalism

8.

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

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.

What is the main difference between commensalism and mutualism?

a)

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

b)

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

c)

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

d)

There is no significant difference; they are the same.

11.

Which of the following is an example of commensalism?

a)

A flea living on a dog

b)

A bee pollinating a flower

c)

Barnacles attaching to a whale

d)

A lion eating a zebra

12.

Which of the following best describes commensalism?

a)

A relationship beneficial to both organisms involved

b)

A relationship harmful to both organisms involved

c)

A relationship beneficial to one organism and harmful to the other

d)

A relationship beneficial to one organism and neutral to the other

13.

What is a key characteristic of commensalism?

a)

Both organisms benefit.

b)

Both organisms are harmed.

c)

One organism benefits, and the other is unaffected.

d)

One organism benefits at the expense of the other.

14.

How does mutualism differ from commensalism?

a)

In mutualism, both organisms are harmed, while in commensalism, one is harmed and the other benefits.

b)

In mutualism, one organism benefits and the other is unaffected, while in commensalism, both benefit.

c)

In mutualism, both organisms benefit, while in commensalism, one benefits and the other is unaffected.

d)

There is no difference; they are the same.

15.

Red-billed oxpeckers are birds that often feed on parasites that infest impala.  This is an example of _______.

a)

commensalism

b)

mutualism

c)

neutralism

d)

competition

16.

Which of the following symbiotic relationships is considered parasitic?

a)

Ticks feeding on a dog

b)

Bees transporting pollen from flowers

c)

Pilotfish swimming under sharks

d)

Birds eating the insects from the back of a hippo

17.

Which of the following is an example of mutualism?

a)

A bee pollinating a flower

b)

A tick feeding on a dog

c)

A barnacle attaching to a whale

d)

A lion hunting a zebra

18.

What is the main characteristic of parasitism?

a)

Both organisms benefit

b)

One organism benefits, the other is harmed

c)

Both organisms are harmed

d)

One organism benefits, the other is unaffected

19.

In which type of symbiotic relationship does one organism benefit while the other is unaffected?

a)

Mutualism

b)

Parasitism

c)

Commensalism

d)

Competition

20.

Which of the following best describes mutualism?

a)

A relationship where both organisms benefit

b)

A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is harmed

c)

A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected

d)

A relationship where both organisms are harmed

21.

Which of the following is an example of parasitism?

a)

A tapeworm in the intestine of a mammal

b)

A bird cleaning the teeth of a crocodile

c)

A remora fish attaching to a shark

d)

A squirrel living in a tree

22.

What is a key difference between mutualism and commensalism?

a)

In mutualism, both organisms benefit; in commensalism, one benefits and the other is unaffected

b)

In mutualism, one organism benefits and the other is harmed; in commensalism, both benefit

c)

In mutualism, both organisms are harmed; in commensalism, one benefits and the other is unaffected

d)

There is no difference; they are the same

23.

Which of the following relationships is an example of commensalism?

a)

Barnacles on a whale

b)

Fleas on a dog

c)

Bees pollinating flowers

d)

Lions hunting zebras

24.

How does parasitism differ from mutualism?

a)

In parasitism, both organisms benefit; in mutualism, one benefits and the other is harmed

b)

In parasitism, one organism benefits and the other is harmed; in mutualism, both benefit

c)

In parasitism, both organisms are harmed; in mutualism, one benefits and the other is unaffected

d)

There is no difference; they are the same

25.

Which symbols best describe commensalism?

a)

+, +

b)

+, -

c)

+, 0

d)

-, 0