Question

question 11 of 20 : select the best answer for the question. 11. dinoflagellates can perform photosynthesis and provide energy for themselves and for the coral that they live near. the coral provide protection to the dinoflagellates. this is an example of a a. dependent relationship. b. parasitic relationship. c. commensalistic relationship. d. mutualistic relationship. mark for review (will be highlighted on the review page)

Explanation:

• Option A: A "dependent relationship" is too vague; the question describes a specific type of ecological interaction, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: In a parasitic relationship, one organism benefits at the expense of the other (e.g., a tick on a dog). Here, both dinoflagellates and coral benefit, so B is incorrect.
• Option C: In commensalism, one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. But in this case, both benefit (dinoflagellates get protection, coral get energy), so C is incorrect.
• Option D: Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit. Dinoflagellates provide energy to coral, and coral provide protection to dinoflagellates—both gain, so this is mutualism.

Answer:

D. mutualistic relationship.