Predator/Prey Relationships

Question 1

Importance of Predator-prey relationships

Answer 1

Important role in maintaining balance in ecological communities. Predators influence the dynamics of their prey in ways that cascade through ecosystems to affect processes such as productivity, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, disease , carbon storage etc.

Question 2

Predation

Answer 2

Predation occurs when members of one species (the predator) eat members of another species (the prey).

This interaction is beneficial for the predator, but harmful for the prey (+/- interaction).

Question 3

Symbiosis

Answer 3

A symbiotic connection is one in which at least one species benefits from the other. The relationship with the other species can be positive, negative, or neutral.

Mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism are the three primary forms of symbiosis.

Question 4

Mutualism

Answer 4

Mutualism is a symbiotic partnership that benefits both sides.

For example Honeybees and the Plants. Honey bees travel from one flower to another in search of nectar from the flower which is required to prepare honey, in return plants are benefited by the pollination as the honey bee spread the pollen from one plant to another

Question 5

Commensalism

Answer 5

A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other remains unaffected is known as commensalism. (+/0 interaction).The other species is usually used for anything other than food. To receive a “free ride,” mites, for example, attach themselves to larger flying insects.

Question 6

Parasitism

Answer 6

In parasitism, two species form a tight, long-term relationship that benefits the parasite while harming the host (+/- interaction).

The species that benefit is called a parasite, and who is harmed is called a host. Some parasites reside on the host’s surface.
Others reside within their hosts. They are known as endoparasites.