Question

read this! symbiotic relationships are identified by how they affect the organisms involved. the three types of sym - biotic relationships are listed below. • mutualism: both organisms benefit from the relationship. • parasitism: one organism benefits and the other is harmed. • commensalism: one organism benefits and there is no effect on the other. model 2 - other symbiotic relationships description of the relationship symbiotic relationship the flea feeds on blood from the dog. there is no benefit to the dog and the itching and bites may lead to infection. the photosynthetic algae provide food for the fungus, which in turn provides a suitable living environment for the algae. the bacteria in the gut of the termite breakdown and feed on some of the cellulose taken in by the termite. the termite would be unable to digest cellulose without these bacteria and they gain an additional source of nutrition from the surplus digested cellulose. the remora fish swim alongside the shark and take scraps of food that the shark drops during feeding. the shark does not eat the remora and appears unaffected by its presence. the cattle egret follows herds of cattle and eats the insects that the cattle stir up as they move through the grassland. the cattle appear to be unaffected by the egrets. the tapeworm lives in the small intestines where it feeds and grows, robbing the human of essential nutrients.

Explanation:

1. For the flea - dog relationship: The flea benefits by feeding on the dog's blood and the dog is harmed by itching and possible infection, so it's parasitism.
2. For the algae - fungus relationship: Both the algae and the fungus benefit from each other (algae provide food, fungus provides living environment), so it's mutualism.
3. For the termite - bacteria relationship: The bacteria break down cellulose for the termite and also get food, and the termite gets the ability to digest cellulose, so it's mutualism.
4. For the Remora - shark relationship: The Remora benefits by getting scraps of food from the shark, and the shark is unaffected, so it's commensalism.
5. For the cattle egret - cattle relationship: The cattle egret benefits by eating insects stirred up by the cattle, and the cattle are unaffected, so it's commensalism.
6. For the tapeworm - human relationship: The tapeworm benefits by feeding in the human intestine and robbing nutrients, and the human is harmed, so it's parasitism.

Answer:

1. Parasitism
2. Mutualism
3. Mutualism
4. Commensalism
5. Commensalism
6. Parasitism