Question

Leaf-cutter ants harvest plant leaves and bring them back to their nests. There, in the warm, moist environments of their underground nests, they grow fungi ( Leucoagaricus) that they then eat. These ants also host bacteria on their exoskeleton. Another fungus, Escovopsis, kills Leucoagaricus when the ants are removed from the nest. Knowing that the bacteria on the ants are in the same phylogenetic group of other bacteria that produce antibiotics, which of the following research hypotheses is most likely correct?A) The bacteria on the exoskeleton produce chemicals that kill Leucoagaricus.

B) The bacteria on the exoskeleton produce chemicals that kill Escovopsis.
C) The bacteria on the exoskeleton provide nutrition to the ants.
D) The bacteria on the exoskeleton cause disease in the ants.

Answer 1

The bacteria on the exoskeleton provide nutrition to the ants is the research hypotheses most likely to be correct. The correct option is 'C'.

Step-by-step explanation:

Information given shows:

Leaf cutter ant harvests leaf.

When brought to nest fungi (Leucoagaricus) is grown and eaten by ants.

Another fungal (Escovopsis) kills Leucoagaricus when ant is not around. This means that bacteria in the exoskeleton of ant prevents the attack or harm caused by Escovopsis. The secondary metabolite produced by bacteria prevents the fungal attack.

This shows that bacteria is in mutualistic relation with the ant. The presence of ant is the presence of bacteria in exoskeleton which saves the food source of ant which was fungal Leucoagaricus.