Question

1. read the following scenarios and determine the type of symbiotic relationship described. explain your reasoning for each scenario.

a. clownfish and sea anemones: the clownfish lives within the tentacles of the sea anemone, receiving protection from predators, while the sea anemone is unaffected.
b. *barnacles on a whales skin: barnacles attach to the skin of a whale, using it as a surface to grow and feed.
c. **cattle and cattle egrets: cattle graze in a field, disturbing insects. cattle egrets follow the cattle and feed on the insects stirred up by their movement.

Explanation:

a. Commensalism occurs when one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. The clown - fish benefits from the sea anemone's protection, and the sea anemone is unaffected.
b. Commensalism as barnacles benefit by using the whale's skin as a surface for growth and feeding, and the whale is not significantly affected.
c. Commensalism because cattle egrets benefit from the insects stirred up by the cattle while the cattle are not affected by the egrets' presence.

Answer:

a. Commensalism
b. Commensalism
c. Commensalism