Question

big idea: community structure
answer the following questions as you read modules 37.1 - 37.13:

1. what is the relationship among an organism, a population, and a community?
2. when populations of different species compete for limited resources, we call this
3. which of the following types of interspecific interaction benefits both organisms?

a. mutualism
b. parasitism
c. predation
d. herbivory

1. interspecific competition occurs when the __________ of two species __________.
2. true or false: interspecific competition increases the carrying capacity for competing species within an area. if false, make it a correct statement.
3. how does mutualism differ from competition?
4. consider two populations of organisms: gazelles and cheetahs. briefly explain how this predator - prey relationship can actually drive adaptations in both species.

Explanation:

1. An organism is an individual living being. A population is a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area. A community is a group of different populations living and interacting in the same area.
2. This is inter - specific competition.
3. Mutualism is an interspecific interaction where both organisms benefit. Parasitism benefits the parasite at the expense of the host. Predation involves one organism (predator) killing and eating another (prey). Herbivory is when an organism eats plants. So the answer is a. Mutualism.
4. Interspecific competition occurs when the niches of two species overlap.
5. False. Interspecific competition decreases the carrying capacity for competing species within an area.
6. Mutualism is a positive interaction where both species benefit, while competition is a negative interaction where species compete for limited resources.
7. Cheetahs need to be fast and efficient hunters to catch gazelles. So, over time, faster and more agile cheetahs are selected. Gazelles, in turn, need to be fast to escape cheetahs. So, faster and more evasive gazelles are selected. This is an example of co - evolution where the predator - prey relationship drives adaptations in both species.

Answer:

1. An organism is an individual, a population is a group of the same - species organisms, and a community is a group of different populations.
2. Interspecific competition
3. a. Mutualism
4. niches; overlap
5. False. Interspecific competition decreases the carrying capacity for competing species within an area.
6. Mutualism benefits both species, competition is for limited resources.
7. Cheetahs evolve to be better hunters, gazelles evolve to be better at escaping.