Question

select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that reliable means dependable. there may be more than one correct choice.

in a mutualistic relationship, on the other hand, both organisms in the relationship are better off because of their arrangement; that is, they benefit mutually from their interactions. for example, lichen is composed of two organisms, an alga and a fungus. the fungus acts like a sponge, holding on to water that the alga needs. at the same time, the alga is constantly converting sunlight into energy, so the fungus, which cannot perform this function for itself, benefits from a reliable energy source. lichen is, in turn, engaged in a commensalistic relationship with the tree that it grows on. in a commensalistic relationship, one organism benefits and the other organism neither benefits nor suffers. the tree provides lichen with a place to grow, but the tree is unaffected.

Explanation:

To understand that "reliable" means "dependable", we look at the context where the alga is "constantly converting sunlight into energy". Since the alga does this all the time, the fungus can depend on the alga for energy. The relevant text is "the alga is constantly converting sunlight into energy, so the fungus, which cannot perform this function for itself, benefits from a reliable energy source." This shows the alga's consistent action makes the energy source dependable (reliable) for the fungus.

Answer:

the alga is constantly converting sunlight into energy, so the fungus, which cannot perform this function for itself, benefits from a reliable energy source