Question

1. aphids are insects that feed on the sap of plants. aphids can destroy a healthy plant by removing all of its sap or by introducing disease to the plant. the image shows a group of aphids on the leaf of a plant.

which statement best describes the type of relationship that exists between aphids and the plant?
a. the relationship is mutualism because both the aphids and plant receive a benefit.
b. the relationship is predator - prey because both the aphids and the plant are harmed.
c. the relationship is parasitism because the aphids receive a benefit and the plant is harmed.
d. the relationship is commensalism because the aphids receive a benefit and the plant is unharmed.
explain your reasoning

Explanation:

• Option A: Mutualism requires both to benefit, but the plant is harmed, so A is wrong.
• Option B: Predator - prey usually involves one killing the other for food; aphids feed on sap, not kill the plant as prey, and the plant is harmed while aphids benefit, so B is wrong.
• Option C: Parasitism is when one (parasite, aphids) benefits and the other (host, plant) is harmed. Aphids get sap (benefit), plant is destroyed/harmed, so this fits.
• Option D: Commensalism requires the host (plant) to be unharmed, but the plant is harmed, so D is wrong.

Answer:

C. The relationship is parasitism because the aphids receive a benefit and the plant is harmed.