Question

symbiosis practice worksheet
types of symbiosis
there are 3 basic types of symbiosis. dont forget that symbiosis is the relationship between two organisms of different species that benefit one or both organisms.
m - mutualism: a symbiotic relationship that benefits both organisms involved
c - commensalism: a symbiotic relationship that benefits one organism and the other is not helped or harmed.
p - parasitism: a symbiotic relationship that benefits one organism and the other is harmed.
complete the chart:

interaction	helps organism 1?	helps organism 2?
commensalism	yes/no/no effect	yes/no/no effect
parasitism	yes/no/no effect	yes/no/no effect

directions:
put the letter (m,c,p) by the statement that best describes the type of symbiosis.

1. a tick living on a dog.
2. the honeyguide bird leading the honey badger to the bees hive, both eat the honey.
3. a tapeworm living in a 6th grade students intestines.
4. a bird building their nest in a tree.
5. the hermit crab carrying the sea anemone on its back.
6. the bristle worm living with the hermit crab.
7. head lice living on a human scalp.
8. mistletoe putting its roots into its host tree.
9. the ants and the acacia tree living together and both receiving benefit.
10. the egret, an insect eating bird, graze near some herbivores mouth.
11. orchids growing in tall tropical trees, (trees are not harmed but orchids get sunlight.
12. bacteria living on a humans skin.
13. the remora hitching a ride on a shark.
14. barnacles living on a whale.
15. bees and a flower.
16. bacteria living in the intestines of a cow to help it break down cellulose.
17. the clownfish and the sea anemone.
18. a sixth grader and their pet.
19. the rhino and the tick bird.
20. the lichen - a close relationship of a fungus and an alga that benefits both

Explanation:

1. A tick living on a dog is parasitism (P) as the tick benefits and the dog is harmed.
2. The honeyguide bird leading the honey - badger to the bees' hive is mutualism (M) as both eat the honey and benefit.
3. A tapeworm living in a student's intestines is parasitism (P) as the tapeworm benefits and the student is harmed.
4. A bird building its nest in a tree is commensalism (C) as the bird benefits and the tree is not affected.
5. The hermit crab carrying the sea anemone on its back is mutualism (M) as the anemone gets more food access and the hermit crab gets protection.
6. The bristle worm living with the hermit crab is commensalism (C) as the worm benefits and the hermit crab is not affected.
7. Head lice living on a human scalp is parasitism (P) as the lice benefit and the human is harmed.
8. Mistletoe putting its roots into its host tree is parasitism (P) as the mistletoe benefits and the tree is harmed.
9. The ants and the acacia tree living together is mutualism (M) as both receive benefit.
10. The egret grazing near some herbivores' mouth is commensalism (C) as the egret benefits from insects stirred up by the herbivores and the herbivores are not affected.
11. Orchids growing in tall tropical trees is commensalism (C) as the orchids get sunlight and the trees are not harmed.
12. Bacteria living on a human's skin can be commensalism (C) as they may not harm or help the human significantly.
13. The remora hitching a ride on a shark is commensalism (C) as the remora benefits and the shark is not affected.
14. Barnacles living on a whale is commensalism (C) as the barnacles benefit and the whale is not affected.
15. Bees and a flower is mutualism (M) as bees get nectar and the flower gets pollinated.
16. Bacteria living in the intestines of a cow is mutualism (M) as the bacteria help break down cellulose and the cow gets nutrition.
17. The clownfish and the sea anemone is mutualism (M) as the clownfish gets protection and the anemone gets food scraps.
18. A sixth - grader and their pet is not a symbiotic relationship in the biological sense as they are of the same species.
19. The Rhino and the tick bird is mutualism (M) as the tick bird eats ticks off the rhino and the rhino gets cleaned.
20. The lichen is mutualism (M) as the fungus and the alga both benefit.

For the chart:

• Mutualism: Helps Organism 1: YES, Helps Organism 2: YES
• Commensalism: Helps Organism 1: YES, Helps Organism 2: NO EFFECT
• Parasitism: Helps Organism 1: YES, Helps Organism 2: NO

For the statements:

1. P
2. M
3. P
4. C
5. M
6. C
7. P
8. P
9. M
10. C
11. C
12. C
13. C
14. C
15. M
16. M
17. M
18. N/A (not a symbiotic relationship of different species)
19. M
20. M

Answer:

For the chart:

• Mutualism: Helps Organism 1: YES, Helps Organism 2: YES
• Commensalism: Helps Organism 1: YES, Helps Organism 2: NO EFFECT
• Parasitism: Helps Organism 1: YES, Helps Organism 2: NO

For the statements:

1. P
2. M
3. P
4. C
5. M
6. C
7. P
8. P
9. M
10. C
11. C
12. C
13. C
14. C
15. M
16. M
17. M
18. N/A
19. M
20. M