Question

The Sonoran Desert is home to many species that form close relationships called____. For example, the Phainopepla (a bird) and Mistletoe (a plant) have a close relationship where the bird eats the plant's berries and spreads the seeds with its droppings. This is called____ because the bird receives nutrition and the plant is able to reproduce. Mistletoe forms another type of relationship between other plants, such as the Desert Ironwood. When its seed germinates, the Mistletoe digs its roots into the connective tissue of another tree and takes away its water resources. This is____ where the Mistletoe acts as the____ and the Desert Ironwood acts as the____ While the Mistletoe makes its home in Ironwoods, the Cactus Wren makes its nests by burrowing holes in Cholla Cacti. This is an example of____ because the cactus is still alive and relatively unaffected, but the bird is provided safety and shelter.

a. Commensalism
b. Parasitism
c. Mutualism
d. Symbiosis
e. Host
f. Parasite

Answer 1

The Sonoran Desert is home to various species that form close relationships, with examples of mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism provided.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the provided information, the relationship between the Phainopepla bird and Mistletoe plant can be categorized as mutualism. In this relationship, the bird benefits from the nutrition provided by the plant's berries, while the plant benefits from the bird's spreading of its seeds through droppings. Additionally, the relationship between the Mistletoe and Desert Ironwood can be classified as parasitism, where the Mistletoe acts as the parasite and the Desert Ironwood acts as the host.

The example of the Cactus Wren and Cholla Cactus demonstrates commensalism, as the bird benefits from the safety and shelter provided by the cactus, while the cactus remains relatively unaffected.