Question

1. in a forest ecosystem, a researcher introduced a new species of herbivorous insects that primarily feed on the leaves of a native tree species. after an initial surge in insect population, the number of insects stabilized. what could be a plausible explanation for the stabilized insect population?

a. the native tree developed a resistance to the herbivorous insects.
b. predators of the herbivorous insects migrated to the area.
c. the introduced insects found a new food source in the ecosystem.
d. the availability of sunlight for photosynthesis decreased in the forest

1. bacteria that live in the digestive systems of cows help break down the plants that cows eat, providing nutrients to cows. the digestive systems of cows offer a safe environment in which the bacteria can live and reproduce. which type of relationship exists between the bacteria and the cows?

a. commensalism
b. mutualism
c. parasitism
d. predation

1. which of the following terms best applies to the relationship between the pompeii worms and the bacteria?

a. competition
b. mutualism
c. parasitism

Explanation:

Question 3:

When predators of the herbivorous insects migrate to the area, they pre - date on the insects, controlling their population and causing it to stabilize. A tree developing resistance quickly is less likely in a short time frame. Finding a new food source would likely cause an increase rather than stabilization, and decreased sunlight would affect the tree more directly than stabilize the insect population.

Question 4:

In mutualism, both organisms benefit. The bacteria help cows break down plants and get nutrients, and cows provide a safe environment for bacteria to live and reproduce. In commensalism, only one benefits. In parasitism, one organism harms the other. In predation, one organism eats the other.

Question 5:

Without more context about Pompeii worms and bacteria, mutualism is a common and possible relationship where both may benefit from each other's presence in their ecological niche.

Answer:

1. b. Predators of the herbivorous insects migrated to the area.
2. b. mutualism
3. b. Mutualism