Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of a commensal relationship?
20
views
51. Community Ecology
Community Interactions: Mutualism (+/+) & Commensalism (+/0)
Struggling with General Biology?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which of the following best describes commensalism in ecological communities?
A
A relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.
B
A relationship where both species are harmed by the interaction.
C
A relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other.
D
A relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of commensalism: Commensalism is a type of ecological relationship where one species benefits while the other species is neither helped nor harmed. This is distinct from other types of interactions like mutualism, parasitism, or competition.
Compare commensalism with mutualism: In mutualism, both species benefit from the interaction, which is different from commensalism where only one species benefits.
Compare commensalism with parasitism: In parasitism, one species benefits at the expense of the other, whereas in commensalism, the second species is not harmed.
Compare commensalism with competition: In competition, both species are harmed as they vie for the same resources, unlike commensalism where one species benefits and the other is unaffected.
Identify the correct description: Based on the definitions and comparisons, the correct description of commensalism is 'A relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.'
Related Videos
Related Practice
Community Interactions: Mutualism (+/+) & Commensalism (+/0) practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations