Question

read the passage. then answer the question below.

lichen growing on a rock in coastal maine may appear to be a single organism. but lichen is actually formed when algae and fungi grow together.

these different organisms live together in a symbiotic relationship. in the yellow scale lichen, the fungus provides protection, moisture, and nutrients for the algae. the algae carry out photosynthesis to produce food that is used by the fungus. different type of bacteria may also live within the fungus.

on a rock in coastal maine, the fungus, the algae, and the bacteria make up which of the following? select all that apply.

a population
part of a community
part of an ecosystem

Explanation:

1. Population: A population consists of individuals of the same species. Here, fungus, algae, and bacteria are different species, so they don't form a population.
2. Community: A community is all the different populations (species) living in a particular area. The fungus, algae, and bacteria are different species living together on the rock, so they are part of a community.
3. Ecosystem: An ecosystem includes all the living (biotic) and non - living (abiotic) components in an area. The rock (abiotic) and the living organisms (fungus, algae, bacteria) together form an ecosystem, so these organisms are part of an ecosystem.

Answer:

B. part of a community
C. part of an ecosystem