Question

name
date
organism interactions within ecosystem
within ecosystems, organisms interact with each other in various ways. some
interactions are competitive, some are predatory, and some are mutually beneficial.

• competitive interactions occur when organisms compete for

shared resources.

• predatory interactions occur when one organism preys on

another organism

• mutually beneficial interactions occur when organisms help each

other survive.
read the following descriptions of organism interactions. determine whether each is an example of a
competitive, predatory, or mutually beneficial interaction. then explain your reasoning.
1 in the spring, honey bees fly from flower to flower. the bees feed on the flowers nectar and use it to make
honey. their foraging for nectar spreads pollen between plants, fertilizing the flowers.
what type of interaction is described between honey bees and flowers? circle the correct answer.
competitive predatory mutually beneficial
b explain your reasoning.

2 lions and hyenas both hunt the same organisms, such as wildebeest, zebras, and impala. sometimes lions
and hyenas steal food from each other.
what type of interaction is described between lions and hyenas? circle the correct answer.
competitive predatory mutually beneficial
b explain your reasoning.

3 sundews are carnivorous plants. they have long tentacles on their leaves with sticky glands at the tip
these glands produce nectar and adhesive to attract and trap flies and moths. once stuck, the insect is
smothered by the sundews tentacles, which coil around the insect and produce enzymes to digest it.
what type of interaction is described between sundews and insects? circle the correct answer
competitive predatory mutually beneficial
b explain your reasoning.

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Explanation:

1. a：The interaction is mutually beneficial. Bees get nectar (food) and flowers get pollinated (help in reproduction).

b：Bees feed on nectar (a resource for them) and in the process, they spread pollen which helps flowers in fertilization. Both organisms benefit.

1. a：The interaction is competitive. Lions and hyenas hunt the same prey (shared resource) and steal food from each other.

b：They are vying for the same food sources (wildebeest, zebras, impala). Competition occurs when organisms compete for shared resources.

1. a：The interaction is predatory. Sundews trap and digest insects (one organism preys on another).

b：Sundews (carnivorous plants) use their glands and tentacles to attract, trap, and digest insects. One organism (sundew) benefits at the expense of the other (insect).

Answer:

1. a. Mutually Beneficial

b. Bees get food (nectar), flowers get pollinated.

1. a. Competitive

b. Compete for same prey (shared resource).

1. a. Predatory

b. Sundews trap and digest insects.