Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

51. Community Ecology

Introduction to Community Interactions

General Biology

51. Community Ecology

Introduction to Community Interactions

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1:28 minutes

Problem 2

Textbook Question

The relationship between corals and the photosynthetic protists they harbor is an example of
a. Commensalism.
b. Competition.
c. Consumption.
d. Mutualism

Verified step by step guidance

Begin by understanding the concept of symbiotic relationships, which are interactions between two different organisms living in close physical proximity. These relationships can be classified into different types: mutualism, commensalism, competition, and consumption.

Define mutualism: It is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms involved benefit from the interaction. In the context of corals and photosynthetic protists, mutualism is observed as both parties gain advantages from their association.

Define commensalism: This is a relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Consider if this applies to corals and photosynthetic protists.

Define competition: This occurs when organisms vie for the same resources, potentially harming one another in the process. Evaluate if corals and photosynthetic protists are competing for resources.

Define consumption: This involves one organism consuming another, such as predation or herbivory. Assess if this is relevant to the relationship between corals and photosynthetic protists.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mutualism

Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms involved benefit from the interaction. In the case of corals and photosynthetic protists, the protists provide the corals with nutrients through photosynthesis, while the corals offer the protists a protected environment and access to sunlight, making this relationship mutually beneficial.

Symbiotic Relationships

Symbiotic relationships are interactions between two different organisms living in close physical proximity. These relationships can be classified into mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, depending on the benefits or harms experienced by the organisms involved. Understanding these interactions is crucial for studying ecological dynamics and species interdependence.

Photosynthetic Protists

Photosynthetic protists, such as zooxanthellae, are single-celled organisms capable of photosynthesis, similar to plants. They play a vital role in marine ecosystems by providing energy and nutrients to their hosts, like corals, through the conversion of sunlight into chemical energy, thus supporting the growth and survival of coral reefs.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Fill in the blanks in the table below summarizing the interspecific interactions in a community.

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Textbook Question

What is niche differentiation?

a. The evolution of traits that reduce niche overlap and competition

b. Interactions that allow species to occupy their fundamental niche

c. The degree to which the niches of two species overlap

d. The claim that species with the same niche cannot coexist

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Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the species interactions of mutualism, predation, and competition.

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Textbook Question

The principle of competitive exclusion states that

a. Two species cannot coexist in the same habitat.

b. Competition between two species always causes extinction or emigration of one species.

c. Two species that have exactly the same niche cannot coexist in a community.

d. Two species will stop reproducing until one species leaves the habitat.

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Textbook Question

What is true about inducible defenses? Select True or False for each statement.

T/F They are always present; thus, an individual is always able to defend itself.

T/F They make it impossible for a consumer to launch surprise attacks.

T/F They result from a coevolutionary arms race.

T/F They make efficient use of resources, because they are produced only when needed.

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Textbook Question

To ensure adequate nitrogen for a crop, a farmer would want to decrease _________ by soil bacteria.

a. Nitrification

b. Denitrification

c. Nitrogen fixation

d. a and c

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Textbook Question

Cite an example to explain why species interactions are conditional and dynamic.

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Textbook Question

Evaluate this statement: Species want to increase their fitness by helping friendly species and hurting enemy species.

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The relationship between corals and the photosynthetic protists they harbor is an example of a. Commensalism. b. Competition. c. Consumption. d. Mutualism

Key Concepts

Mutualism

Symbiotic Relationships

Photosynthetic Protists

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The relationship between corals and the photosynthetic protists they harbor is an example of
a. Commensalism.
b. Competition.
c. Consumption.
d. Mutualism