Question

leaf - cutter ants cultivate fungus. the ants keep conditions optimal for fungus growth and carry leaf fragments for the fungus to grow on. then the ants feed on pieces of the fungus. which kind of relationship exists between the fungus and the ants? (1 point)
○ predator/prey
○ consumer/producer
○ parasite/host
○ symbiotic

Explanation:

Symbiotic relationships involve two or more species interacting closely. In this case, leaf - cutter ants and the fungus have a mutualistic (a type of symbiotic) relationship. The ants provide optimal conditions (like leaf fragments) for the fungus to grow, and the fungus provides food for the ants. A parasite/host relationship would involve one organism harming the other (e.g., a tick on a dog). A consumer/producer relationship is more about one organism (consumer) eating another (producer, like a plant). A predator/prey relationship is about one organism (predator) killing and eating another (prey, like a lion and a zebra).

Answer:

symbiotic