Which of the following conditions would make an organism mutualistic with a tree and parasitic with fungi?

Question

Group of answer choices

gains exposure to sunlight, but has had no effect on the fungi.

protects tree bark from insects while depriving fungi of nutrients.

neither helps nor harms tree, but benefits fungi.

destroys nutrients needed by tree and the fungi.

Answer 1

To identify which of the provided conditions would make an organism mutualistic with a tree and parasitic with fungi, let's analyze each option:

1. Gains exposure to sunlight, but has had no effect on the fungi.

   • In this case, the organism benefits the tree (by potentially getting light and helping it grow) but does not affect the fungi. This doesn't imply mutualism with the tree or parasitism with the fungi.

2. Protects tree bark from insects while depriving fungi of nutrients.

   • Here, the organism is helping the tree by protecting it from insects (mutualistic), but it is harming the fungi by depriving them of nutrients (parasitic). This condition fits the criteria.

3. Neither helps nor harms tree, but benefits fungi.

   • This scenario indicates a relationship where the tree is unaffected, while the fungi benefit. This doesn't reflect mutualism with the tree or parasitism with the fungi.

4. Destroys nutrients needed by tree and the fungi.

   • In this case, the organism is harmful to both the tree and the fungi, which doesn’t fit either mutualism or parasitism.

Based on this analysis, the correct answer is:

Protects tree bark from insects while depriving fungi of nutrients.