Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
How is parasitism different from commensalism in ecological interactions?
A
Parasitism harms both organisms involved, while commensalism benefits one organism.
B
Parasitism benefits one organism and harms the other, while commensalism benefits one organism without affecting the other.
C
Parasitism benefits one organism and has no effect on the other, while commensalism harms one organism.
D
Parasitism benefits both organisms involved, while commensalism benefits only one organism.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the definitions: Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other organism (the host), which is harmed. Commensalism is a relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
Identify the key differences: In parasitism, the host is negatively affected, whereas in commensalism, the host is unaffected.
Consider examples: A common example of parasitism is a tapeworm in the intestines of a mammal, where the tapeworm benefits by absorbing nutrients at the host's expense. An example of commensalism is barnacles on a whale, where barnacles benefit from being transported to nutrient-rich waters without affecting the whale.
Analyze the options given: Compare each option with the definitions and examples to determine which accurately describes the relationships.
Select the correct answer: Based on the definitions and examples, choose the option that states parasitism benefits one organism and harms the other, while commensalism benefits one organism without affecting the other.