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What are the interactions that are taking place between the ants, fungal gardens, mold, and bacteria?

Option 1: Mutualistic relationships
Option 2: Symbiotic interactions
Option 3: Ecological dependencies
Option 4: Inter-species cooperation

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The interactions between ants, fungal gardens, mold, and bacteria can be described as mutualistic relationships in which the fungi help the insects digest their food.

Step-by-step explanation:

The interactions between ants, fungal gardens, mold, and bacteria can be described as mutualistic relationships. For example, ants and termites grow fungi in underground "fungus gardens". The fungi help them digest wood or leaves by secreting enzymes that the ants or termites cannot produce on their own. Similarly, ambrosia beetles grow fungi inside the bark of trees to help digest their food.

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