Question

1. a peacock lives in the shell of a feeding mussel. the peacock eats tiny bits of food that the mussel filters in. what is the relationship between the peacock and the mussel?

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

1. match each description with the appropriate term listed. place your answer in the blank space given.

i. biomass ii. ecology iii. population
iv. biological community v. symbiosis vi. competition
a. a group of organisms of the same species interbreed and live in the same area at the same time.
b. in this interaction, two or more organisms compete for the same resource.
c. interacting populations live in a certain area at the same time.
d. this describes the dry mass of all the living organisms that occupy a habitat.
e. this is a study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with their environment.
f. this long - lasting, ecological relationship benefits at least one organism of two different species that live in close contact.

1. decide whether each statement is true (t) or false (f). place your answer in the blank space given.

a. nutrients - such as nitrogen and phosphorus - that grasses need to grow are converted from decomposing organic matter by micro - organisms.
b. prairie - dog communities benefit numerous other species.
c. cowbirds become part of relationships classified as commensalism and mutualism.
d. the great horned owl hunting the snowshoe hare at night has no effect on the

Explanation:

• For question 11:
• Commensalism is a relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. The peacock crab benefits from the mussel's food - filtering (gets food) and the mussel is not affected negatively or positively.
• Mutualism would mean both benefit. Parasitism means one benefits at the expense of the other. Predation is one organism killing and eating another.
• For question 12:
• a. A group of organisms of the same species that interbreed and live in the same area is a population (iii).
• b. When two or more organisms compete for the same resource, it is competition (vi).
• c. Interacting populations in a certain area is a biological community (iv).
• d. The dry mass of all living organisms in a habitat is biomass (i).
• e. The study of interactions of living organisms with each other and their environment is ecology (ii).
• f. A long - lasting ecological relationship that benefits at least one of two different species in close contact is symbiosis (v).
• For question 13:
• a. Micro - organisms do convert nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from decomposing organic matter for grass growth. So, it is True (T).
• b. Prairie - dog communities create burrows that other species can use (e.g., for shelter), so they benefit numerous other species. True (T).
• c. Cowbirds are brood parasites (lay eggs in other birds' nests). They are not part of commensalism and mutualism relationships. False (F).
• d. The great horned owl hunting the snowshoe hare affects the hare's population (reduces it). False (F).

Answer:

1. A. commensalism

12.

• a. iii
• b. vi
• c. iv
• d. i
• e. ii
• f. v

13.

• a. T
• b. T
• c. F
• d. F