Question

Mistletoe plants and spruce trees often naturally form a symbiotic relationship. The mistletoe roots grow into the tree and allow the mistletoe to absorb nutrients and water from the spruce tree. This can lead to permanent damage or even death for the spruce tree. What type of relationship exists between the mistletoe and the spruce tree?


predation


parasitism


competition


commensalism

Answer 1

The relationship between the mistletoe and the spruce tree is one of **parasitism**. In this type of relationship, the parasite (mistletoe) benefits by absorbing nutrients and water from the host (spruce tree), which can lead to harm or even death for the host.