Question

question 1 - 17
fleas and mosquitoes feed on blood from other organisms. what type of relationship do the fleas and mosquitoes have with their host organism? (sc 912 l 17.8)
commensalism
competition
mutualism
parasitism

Explanation:

• Commensalism: One organism benefits, the other is neither helped nor harmed. Fleas and mosquitoes harm their hosts, so this is not commensalism.
• Competition: Organisms compete for resources like food, space. This is not the case here as fleas and mosquitoes are feeding on hosts, not competing with them for a resource.
• Mutualism: Both organisms benefit. Fleas and mosquitoes benefit (get food - blood) but hosts are harmed (loss of blood, possible disease transmission), so not mutualism.
• Parasitism: One organism (parasite - flea/mosquito) benefits at the expense of the other (host - loses blood, may get sick). This matches the relationship.

Answer:

parasitism