Which set correctly matches a type of symbiotic relationship with its example?

Which set correctly matches a type of symbiotic relationship with its example?

• A. Mutualism: pollinators and flowering plants; Commensalism: barnacles on whales; Parasitism: tapeworms in hosts.
• B. Mutualism: rabbits and lettuce; Commensalism: birds nesting in trees; Parasitism: fungi on leaves.
• C. Mutualism: predators and prey; Commensalism: bees and flowers; Parasitism: humans and bacteria.
• D. Mutualism: barnacles on whales; Commensalism: pollinators and flowers; Parasitism: tapeworms in hosts.

Answer: (A)

Mutualism is when both species benefit, commensalism is when one benefits and the other is largely unaffected, and parasitism is when one benefits at the expense of the other. The best match shows pollinators and flowering plants as mutualists because the pollinators get food (nectar or pollen) and plants gain help with pollination. Barnacles on whales fits commensalism since barnacles gain a place to live and move, while the whale is not helped or harmed in a significant way. Tapeworms in hosts illustrate parasitism because the tapeworms extract nutrients from the host, often harming it. The other options mix these relationships—such as labeling predator–prey or mutualistic pairs incorrectly—so they don’t correctly align the type of relationship with its example.

Mutualism is when both species benefit, commensalism is when one benefits and the other is largely unaffected, and parasitism is when one benefits at the expense of the other. The best match shows pollinators and flowering plants as mutualists because the pollinators get food (nectar or pollen) and plants gain help with pollination. Barnacles on whales fits commensalism since barnacles gain a place to live and move, while the whale is not helped or harmed in a significant way. Tapeworms in hosts illustrate parasitism because the tapeworms extract nutrients from the host, often harming it. The other options mix these relationships—such as labeling predator–prey or mutualistic pairs incorrectly—so they don’t correctly align the type of relationship with its example.