Question

A cattle egret stands next to a cow in a field. The form of symbiosis that they have is commensalism.

Which of the following statement(s) most accurately describes their relationship?


Neither the cattle egret nor the cow are benefiting from the relationship. They just live near each other.


Both the cow and the cattle egret benefit from the relationship. The cattle egret gets food and the cow is not bothered by the insects.


The cattle egret eats the insects that are disturbed as the cow walks. The egrets get food and the cow is unharmed.


The cow is not harmed by the cattle egret. The egret, however, is harmed by eating the insects from around the cow.


The cattle egret eats the insects that are disturbed as the cow walks. The egret gets food and the cow is harmed.

Answer 1

The third statement is correct: "The cattle egret eats the insects that are disturbed as the cow walks. The egrets get food and the cow is unharmed."

Explanation: In commensalism one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. The egret gains food by following the cow; the cow is essentially unaffected. The other options describe neutralism, mutualism, or harm to one party, which do not match commensalism.