Question

Explain what it means for marine worms to live commensally.

A. They feed on detritus
B. They share a symbiotic relationship with other organisms
C. They live independently without interactions
D. They burrow into the substrate for protection

Answer 1

Marine worms living commensally engage in a symbiotic relationship where they benefit while their host organism remains unaffected. This is different from mutualism, where both species involved benefit from the interaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

For marine worms to live commensally means they engage in a type of symbiotic relationship known as commensalism. In commensalism, one organism benefits while the other is not significantly harmed or helped. For example, a marine worm might attach itself to a larger organism and use it for transportation or as a way to access food, without affecting the host.

An example that illustrates a similar concept, although not commensalism, is mutualism. Mutualism is another symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit from the interaction. An example is the termite, which has a mutualistic relationship with protozoa living in its gut; both organisms benefit as parasites help the termite digest cellulose for energy. This distinguishes it from commensalism, where only one organism benefits without impacting the other.