Question

organism interactions within ecosystems
keep going! answer the questions below.
4 in the atlantic ocean, a remora fish uses a sucker - like organ on the top of its head to attach itself to a shark.
the remora fish then eats scraps of food dropped by the shark, as well as parasites on the sharks skin and
mouth. the shark in turn provides protection for remora fish and transports them around the ocean
a what type of interaction is described between a shark and a remora fish? circle the correct answer.
competitive predatory mutually beneficial
b explain your reasoning.
5 when an old oak tree in a deciduous forest dies and falls to the ground, young tree seedlings race to fill in
the gap in the canopy. once the gap is filled, the other seedlings cant get sufficient sunlight.
a what type of interaction is described between young tree seedlings? circle the correct answer.
competitive predatory mutually beneficial
b explain your reasoning.
6 a blue whale captures krill by opening its mouth and straining enormous volumes of water through bristle -
like structures called baleen plates. the largest blue whales can consume up to 6 tons of krill a day!
a what type of interaction is described between blue whales and krill? circle the correct answer.
competitive predatory mutually beneficial
b explain your reasoning.
7 during breeding season, a male northern cardinal marks his territory with song. he chases off other males
entering his territory to prevent them from mating with the same female or taking his resources.
a what type of interaction is described between male cardinals? circle the correct answer.
competitive predatory mutually beneficial
b explain your reasoning.

Explanation:

• Question 4b: In mutualistic relationships, both species benefit. The remora fish gets food (scraps and parasites) and protection/transport, while the shark isn't harmed (and might have parasites removed, a minor benefit).
• Question 5b: Competitive interaction occurs when organisms vie for the same limited resource (here, sunlight). Only one seedling (the one that fills the canopy gap) gets sufficient sunlight, showing competition.
• Question 6b: Predatory interaction is when one organism (predator - blue whale) hunts and consumes another (prey - krill). The blue whale eats krill as its food source.
• Question 7b: Male cardinals compete for mates (female cardinals) and resources (territory). By chasing off other males, they are competing to secure these for themselves.

Answer:

• 4b: The interaction is mutually beneficial because the remora gets food, protection, and transport, and the shark may have parasites removed (a minor benefit), so both gain.
• 5b: The interaction is competitive as young tree seedlings compete for sunlight (a limited resource) to grow.
• 6b: The interaction is predatory since the blue whale (predator) consumes krill (prey) as its food.
• 7b: The interaction is competitive. Male cardinals compete for mates (female cardinals) and territory (a resource) by chasing off other males.