Question

(14) egrets are beautiful white birds that roost on the back of cows. the cows are not affected

(15) the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone do not affect the clownfish. instead, the fish
are protected from predators and feed on the sea anemones leftovers as they swim among
its tentacles. the anemone is not harmed by the fish.

Explanation:

• Commensalism: One organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. In the first case, egrets benefit (find food etc. while on cow's back) and cows are not affected. In the second case, clownfish benefit (protection, food) and sea anemone is not harmed.
• Mutualism: Both organisms benefit. But in these cases, only one (egret/clownfish) benefits and the other (cow/sea anemone) is not benefited.
• Parasitism: One organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (host). But here the second organism (cow/sea anemone) is not harmed.

Answer:

1. a. Commensalism
2. a. Commensalism