Question

Which of the following is an example of symbiosis?

O a blue jay uses a nest built by another jay.
O bats snatch mosquitoes out of the air.
O a honeybee takes pollen from a flower.
O rabbits and deer both consume grass.

Answer 1

The correct example of symbiosis is the honeybee taking pollen from a flower, representing mutualism where both species benefit.

Step-by-step explanation:

Symbiosis is a close and varied interaction between species, including commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. In the student's question, the scenario where a honeybee takes pollen from a flower is an example of mutualism, one type of symbiotic relationship. This mutualistic interaction benefits both the honeybee, which gains nourishment from the pollen or nectar, and the flower, which gets its pollen distributed thus aiding in reproduction as demonstrated in Figure 24.4.2.

Commensalism, another form of symbiosis, involves one species benefiting while the other remains unaffected. An illustration is the relationship between birds and the trees they nest in. The birds gain shelter and a place to raise their young, whereas the tree does not receive any benefits or harm from this arrangement.

The honeybee taking pollen from a flower symbolizes a mutualistic symbiotic relationship where both species benefit. The correct response to the student's question is the option with the honeybee and the flower, indicating mutualism.