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A black bear devouring a patch of ripe blue berries is an example of ________.

1) Predation
2) Commensalism
3) Mutualism
4) Parasitism

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A black bear eating blueberries is an example of predation, where the bear is the predator and the blueberries are the prey. The relationship between the Karner blue butterfly larva and ants demonstrates mutualism, a beneficial interaction for both species. Algae blooms affecting net primary productivity in a lake are mostly due to factors like light and nutrient availability.

Step-by-step explanation:

A black bear devouring a patch of ripe blueberries is an example of predation. Predation is a community relationship where one species, the predator, consumes tissues of organisms from another species, known as the prey. In this scenario, the black bear acts as the predator and the blueberries as the prey. While consuming the blueberries, the bear doesn't kill the blueberry plants, which is similar to deer grazing on plants without usually killing them.On the other hand, the Karner blue butterfly larva and ants are an example of mutualism. Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both interacting species benefit. The larva secretes a carbohydrate that provides energy for the ants, while the ants, in turn, protect and tend to the larva, thereby increasing its chances to survive into adulthood.Lastly, the sudden increase in algae population, known as an algae bloom, in a Midwest lake affects the net primary productivity. Factors that affect this productivity include light and nutrient availability, but not predation by primary consumers alone.