Question

(16) in africa there exists an unusual relationship between ants and the acacia tree. the tree provides food for the ants, and the ants protect the tree from predators. a commensalism b mutualism c parasitism (17) ringworm is really a type of fungus that causes a ring shaped itchy place on the skin of humans. the fungus obtains food from human skin, and the human can become quite miserable. a commensalism b mutualism c parasitism

Explanation:

• For question 16:
• In mutualism, both species benefit. The Acacia tree provides food (a benefit) for the ants, and the ants protect the tree from predators (another benefit). So this is mutualism.
• Commensalism is when one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. That is not the case here as both are getting benefits.
• Parasitism is when one organism benefits at the expense of the other (harmful to the host). Here both are getting advantages, so not parasitism.
• For question 17:
• In parasitism, one organism (the parasite, here the fungus) benefits and the other (the host, here the human) is harmed. The fungus gets food (benefit) and the human gets an itchy, miserable condition (harm).
• Commensalism is not applicable as the human is harmed, not just unaffected.
• Mutualism requires both to benefit. The human is not getting a benefit, so it is not mutualism.

Answer:

1. b. Mutualism
2. c. Parasitism