Question

practice it!
which of the following is an example of commensalism?
a mosquito biting a human for blood
an eagle catching and eating a fish
plants growing towards the sunlight
a vulture collecting scraps left behind by a pack of wolves

Explanation:

• A mosquito biting a human for blood: This is parasitism. The mosquito (parasite) benefits by getting food (blood), and the human (host) is harmed (e.g., risk of disease transmission, discomfort).
• An eagle catching and eating a fish: This is predation. The eagle (predator) kills and consumes the fish (prey) for energy.
• Plants growing towards the sunlight: This is a plant's response to an abiotic factor (light) for photosynthesis. It is not an interaction between two different species (a key aspect of symbiotic relationships like commensalism).
• A vulture collecting scraps left behind by a pack of wolves: In commensalism, one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. The vulture benefits by getting food (scraps), and the wolves are not affected by the vulture taking the scraps.

Answer:

D. A vulture collecting scraps left behind by a pack of wolves