Question

There are many bacteria living inside animals. Some of these bacteria help animals break down some foods. Some bacteria in cows, for example, work hard to break down the grass the cow eats. The bacteria get shelter and food from this. They also help the cow.

What is the relationship between the cow and these bacteria?

A) Competition

B) Mutualism

C) Parasitism

D) Predator-prey

Answer 1

The relationship between cows and the bacteria that aid in digesting grass is an example of mutualism, where both organisms benefit.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between cows and the bacteria that help them break down the grass they eat is an example of mutualism. In this symbiotic relationship, both the cow and the bacteria benefit: the cow gets help digesting cellulose in the grass, which it could not do alone, and the bacteria receive shelter and nutrients from the cow's gut. This type of interaction is fundamental for many animal digestive processes, as in the case of methanogens in the guts of cows and termites that produce methane as a waste product.