Ecology Of Species Interactions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which term describes a relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed?
- Parasitism
- Mutualism
- Commensalism (Correct answer)
- Amensalism
Correct answer: Commensalism
Commensalism is defined as a +/0 interaction where one organism benefits and the other experiences no significant effect.
Question 2: The fig tree and fig wasp relationship is a classic example of:
- Facultative mutualism
- Obligate mutualism (Correct answer)
- Protocooperation
- Commensalism
Correct answer: Obligate mutualism
Fig trees and fig wasps are obligate mutualists because neither can reproduce without the other.
Question 3: A lion killing and consuming a zebra is an example of which interaction type?
- Parasitism
- Herbivory
- Predation (Correct answer)
- Amensalism
Correct answer: Predation
Predation involves one organism (predator) killing and consuming another (prey), as seen with lions and zebras.
Question 4: In amensalism, the interaction outcome for the two species is best described as:
- +/+
- +/-
- 0/- (Correct answer)
- +/0
Correct answer: 0/-
Amensalism is a 0/- relationship where one species is harmed while the other is unaffected.
Question 5: Which of the following best illustrates resource partitioning among competing species?
- Two hawk species hunting at different times of day (Correct answer)
- A tapeworm absorbing nutrients from its host
- Bees collecting nectar from flowers
- Barnacles filtering plankton from seawater
Correct answer: Two hawk species hunting at different times of day
Resource partitioning reduces competition by dividing resources along niche axes, such as different feeding times.
Question 6: The term 'coevolution' in species interactions refers to:
- One species evolving in isolation from all others
- Reciprocal evolutionary change between two interacting species (Correct answer)
- Convergent evolution of unrelated species in similar habitats
- Extinction of one species driving evolution in another
Correct answer: Reciprocal evolutionary change between two interacting species
Coevolution describes the reciprocal evolutionary changes that occur between species in close ecological interaction.
Question 7: Mycorrhizal fungi colonize plant roots and receive carbohydrates while providing the plant with minerals. This interaction is:
- Parasitism
- Commensalism
- Obligate mutualism
- Facultative mutualism (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Facultative mutualism
Most mycorrhizal associations are facultative mutualism because many plants can survive without them, though both partners benefit.
Ecology Of Species Interactions 2
Which term describes a relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed?