Question

which of the following is not an example of predation?
a. a blue whale feeding on zooplankton
b. a tree obtaining nutrients from the soil
c. a caterpillar eating the leaves of a tree
d. a wolf eating a deer
please select the best answer from the choices provided

Explanation:

Predation is an interaction where one organism (the predator) kills and eats another organism (the prey). In option a, the blue whale (predator) feeds on zooplankton (prey). In option c, the caterpillar (predator) eats the tree leaves (prey - as the leaves are part of the tree organism). In option d, the wolf (predator) eats the deer (prey). However, in option b, a tree obtaining nutrients from the soil is not predation. The soil is not an organism, so there is no predator - prey relationship here. It is a plant - soil nutrient uptake process.

Answer:

B. A tree obtaining nutrients from the soil