Question

Two interactions within an ecosystem are predation and parasitism. In predation, predator organisms feed on prey organisms. In parasitism, parasites depend on host organisms. Which of the following correctly describes the relative numbers of organisms in parasitism or predation?

Answer 1

The relative numbers of organisms in predation and parasitism can vary depending on the specific ecosystem. In general, the number of organisms involved in predation is typically higher than the number involved in parasitism.

Step-by-step explanation:

In predation, predator organisms feed on prey organisms, while in parasitism, parasites depend on host organisms. The relative numbers of organisms in predation and parasitism can vary depending on the specific ecosystem. In general, the number of organisms involved in predation is typically higher than the number involved in parasitism. This is because predators often feed on multiple prey organisms, whereas parasites typically depend on a single host organism. For example, in a lion-zebra predator-prey relationship, there may be multiple zebras and fewer lions. In a parasitic relationship between a tick and a deer, there will likely be many ticks and only one deer host.