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91Ó°ÊÓ

The Karner blue butterfly larva secretes a carbohydrate, which is a source of energy for ants. In turn, ants tend to the larva, increasing its likelihood to grow into an adult butterfly. This is an example of _____. a. predation b. competition c. mutualism d. parasitism

Short Answer

Expert verified
Mutualism

Step by step solution

01

Identify the relationship

Read the given scenario and understand the interaction between the ants and the butterfly larva. Notice that both species benefit from the relationship.
02

Define the options

Understand the definitions of each option: a. Predation - One organism kills and eats another.b. Competition - Two organisms fight for the same resources.c. Mutualism - Both organisms benefit from the relationship.d. Parasitism - One organism benefits while the other is harmed.
03

Match the scenario with the definition

Since both the ants and the butterfly larva benefit from their relationship, it matches the definition of mutualism.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiotic relationships are close, often long-term interactions between different biological species. These interactions can be beneficial to both parties, beneficial to one and neutral to the other, or beneficial to one and harmful to the other.

Examples of symbiotic relationships include:
  • Mutualism: Both organisms benefit from the interaction. A perfect example is the interaction between the Karner blue butterfly larva and ants. The larva provides a carbohydrate as food for the ants, and in return, the ants protect the larva.
  • Commensalism: One organism benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed. For instance, barnacles attaching to a whale. The barnacle gains mobility to access food, while the whale is unaffected.
  • Parasitism: One organism benefits at the expense of the other. An example is a tick feeding on a dog. The tick gains nourishment, while the dog may suffer discomfort or illness.
Understanding symbiotic relationships helps us explore the complex interdependencies in nature.
Ecology
Ecology is the study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment. It looks at the relationships between organisms and their habitats, concentrating on aspects such as population dynamics, community behavior, and ecosystem structure and function.

Key areas in the study of ecology include:
  • Population Ecology: Examines how populations of a species grow, shrink, and interact with the environment and other species.
  • Community Ecology: Focuses on how species interact within a community, looking at competition, predation, and symbiotic relationships.
  • Ecosystem Ecology: Studies the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients among organisms and their environment within an ecosystem.
By understanding ecology, we gain insight into preserving biodiversity and managing natural resources effectively.
Interspecies Interactions
Interspecies interactions refer to the ways different species affect each other and include various forms such as predation, competition, and symbiosis. These interactions are crucial for maintaining the balance within ecosystems.

Important types of interspecies interactions include:
  • Predation: One species (the predator) hunts and eats another species (the prey). This dynamic is vital for controlling population sizes and maintaining ecological balance.
  • Competition: Different species vie for the same resources, such as food, water, or territory. This can limit the growth and survival of competing organisms.
  • Symbiosis: As covered earlier, includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, where species live closely together with varying impacts on each other.
Recognizing these interactions helps ecologists predict changes in ecosystems and develop conservation strategies.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Biogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of living things and the _____ that affect their distribution. a. Abiotic factors b. Biotic factors c. Biomes d. Conspecifics

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Which of the following gases is not considered a significant contributor to global warming? a. carbon dioxide b. methane c. nitric oxide d. oxygen

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