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The correct OPTION is (d) Cuscuta

The best EXPLANATION: Cuscuta a parasitic plant has lost its chlorophyll during the course of EVOLUTION. It is an obligate, ectoparasitic DODDER plant that completely depends on the host for nutrients. It binds to the host with the help of HAUSTORIA.

Right CHOICE is (b) The MEDITERRANEAN orchid OPHRYS

To explain I would say: Pseudo-copulation is observed in the Mediterranean orchid Ophrys. It is the process in which the male copulates with the flowers that resemble the female INSECT of the same species. It is observed in BEES, flies, and wasps.

Right answer is (c) Oviposition

The explanation is: The female WASP uses fruit to LAY its EGGS i.e. oviposition. It also uses the developing seeds of fruits for NOURISHING its LARVAE. In return, the wasp helps in the pollination of fig inflorescence.

The correct option is (c) LARGER and competitively superior barnacle Balanus

The explanation: The larger and competitively superior barnacle BalanusI dominates the rocky coasts of SCOTLAND. Due to this the smaller barnacle Chathamalus is excluded from that zone. It is an example of ‘competitive release’ which was shown by Connell’s elegant FIELD EXPERIMENTS.

The correct answer is (d) Resource PARTITIONING

The explanation is: Resource partitioning in which two SPECIES COMPETING for the same resources can avoid COMPETITION by choosing. In this, the resources are divided by the species within an ecological niche. It is an ADAPTATION of interspecific competition.

The correct option is (d) Zooplankton

To explain I would say: The visiting flamingoes and resident FISHES of the South AMERICAN lakes COMPETE for zooplankton. It is an example of competition. In competition interaction, the fitness of one organism OVERPOWERS the PRESENCE and fitness of another.

Right ANSWER is (c) Abingdon tortoise

Explanation: Abingdon tortoise has become EXTINCT in the Galapagos Islands due to the introduction of goats in that area. This was due to the greater browsing CAPACITY of goats. It is an example of a competition in which the presence of goats LOWERED the fitness of tortoise.

The CORRECT answer is (C) Thorns

Explanation: Thorns of plants are MORPHOLOGICAL means of defense. They are pointy branches or stems. They protect plants against HERBIVORES. They are the first LINE of defense in plants.

Correct option is (b) OPIUM

Easiest explanation: Opium is the chemical produced by plants against grazers and browsers. These are SECONDARY metabolites. Along with this plants also produce ALKALOIDS, benzoxazinoids, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates, terpenoids, and phenolics for chemical DEFENSE.

The correct answer is (b) When the PREY is overexploited

To elaborate: The prey might become extinct when the prey itself is overexploited or killed by the PREDATORS. Predation is an INTERACTION in which an ORGANISM (predator) is BENEFITED by killing another organism (prey).

The correct CHOICE is (a) Pisaster

For explanation I would SAY: Pisater is an important predator in the rocky intertidal communities of the American Pacific COAST that feeds on barnacles, PLANKTONS, echinoids, etc. Predation is an interaction in which an ORGANISM (predator) is benefited by killing another organism (prey).

Right OPTION is (d) Predation

Explanation: Predation is an interaction in which an organism (predator) is BENEFITED by killing another organism (prey).It is the ecological process of energy transfer and best-known EXAMPLES involve carnivorous INTERACTIONS.

The correct choice is (a) Brood parasitism

To EXPLAIN I would SAY: The young bird is brought up by other birds in brood parasitism. In this, the parasite lays its EGGS in other birds’ nest (HOST). This KIND of interaction is also seen among insects and fishes.

The correct option is (d) Mutualism

The BEST I can EXPLAIN: Pollination of FLOWERS by BEES is an example of mutualism. It is an interaction in which both individuals are benefited. The bees pollinate the flowers in exchange for food (nectar).

Correct option is (b) Proto cooperation

The EXPLANATION: Commensalism is an INTERACTION in which ASSOCIATION between species is not obligatory but both the species are benefited. It is a long-term relationship between two species in which one species DERIVES the BENEFIT while other is neither harmed nor benefited.

Right ANSWER is (b) Antagonism

To explain: Antagonism is the INTERACTION in which one or both the species may be HARMED. Antagonism is manifested through COMPETITION, parasitism, and predation. In this, the ENERGY is transferred from prey to predator.

The CORRECT answer is (C) Symbiosis and mutualism

Explanation: Symbiosis and mutualism are synonymous WORDS. Symbiosis is a close and often long-term physical relationship between two or more species while mutualism is an interaction in which both INDIVIDUALS are BENEFITED.

Right choice is (c) SYMBIOSIS

To EXPLAIN: Both the species are benefited in a symbiotic relationship. Symbiosis can be facultative (generally LIVE independently) or obligatory (one or both of the SYMBIONTS entirely DEPEND on each other for survival).

Correct choice is (d) Neutralism

Easy explanation: The following interactions in which neither of the two species is BENEFITED nor harmed is called neutralism. The INTERACTION between rainbow trout and dandelions RESIDING in a mountain VALLEY is an example of neutralism.

Right answer is (d) Commensalism

For explanation: The interaction called where organisms live together in such a MANNER that ONE organism is benefited without affecting the others is called commensalism. It is a long-term RELATIONSHIP described by the phrase “sharing of food” or “sharing of the table”.

The correct answer is (c) Orchids and mango tree

Explanation: Commensalism is a long-term RELATIONSHIP between two species in which one species derives the benefit while other is NEITHER harmed nor benefited. The BEST example is EPIPHYTIC plants such as orchids GROWING on a mango tree.

Right answer is (b) Host BEHAVES as a babysitter

For explanation: In cuckoo, the host behaves as a babysitter. A female cuckoo will generally lay her eggs in a nest of another bird, then leaving the OFFSPRING to be HATCHED and fed by this another bird (host). It is an example of brood-parasitism.

Correct CHOICE is (c) The parasites are DESTROYED by the HOSTS

Explanation: The statement, the parasites are destroyed by the hosts is incorrect about parasitism. A relationship between ORGANISMS of different species where an organism is BENEFITED and other is harmed is known as parasitism. The organism which is benefited is known as parasite while the harmed one is called the host.

The correct answer is (d) Unlimited SUPPLY of resources is ONE of the primary reasons for competition

Easy explanation: The statement, unlimited supply of resources is one of the primary reasons for the competition is incorrect about competition. The primary reason for competition is a limited supply of resources. An ORGANISM competes for VARIOUS resources such as space, food, TERRITORY, etc.

Correct answer is (b) CAMOUFLAGE

Explanation: Camouflage is an ADAPTATION in which an organism matches its COLOUR with the surrounding to GET protection from predators.Camouflage can be achieved by different methods such as crypsis, mimesis, etc.

Correct OPTION is (a) Due to the increase in the POPULATION of herbivore

Best explanation: A carnivore population increases due to an increase in the population of HERBIVORES. In this, an ORGANISM i.e. carnivore (predator) is benefited by killing and EATING another organism i.e. herbivore (prey).

The CORRECT choice is (b) Herbivore and carnivore

Explanation: Herbivores and CARNIVORES have adapted themselves to prey-predator relationships. Predation is the reason for energy flow from one ORGANISM to another. It is an interaction in which an organism (predator) is BENEFITED by killing another organism (prey).

Correct answer is (a) Carnivore

Easy EXPLANATION: The carnivores eat each other and form various levels of the food PYRAMID. It derives its ENERGY and nutrient requirements from killing and eating other animals. These are the predators and the organisms they eat are called prey.

The correct answer is (d) Predation

The BEST explanation: Predation is the reason for energy flow from ONE organism to ANOTHER. It is an INTERACTION in which an organism (predator) is benefited by killing another organism (prey). It is the ecological PROCESS of energy transfer and best-known examples involve carnivorous interactions.

Correct choice is (B) Adelpho-parasite

The explanation is: Encarsia perplexa, a WASP of the family Aphelinidae is an example of adelpho-parasite. It is a PARASITOID of the citrus BLACKFLY and is a native of India and Vietnam. It was recorded as a new species in 1998.

Right answer is (C) Hyper-parasitism

The best I can EXPLAIN: A PROTOZOAN living in the digestive tract of a flea living on a dog is an example of Hyper-parasitism. It is also KNOWN as SECONDARY or epi-parasite. It is a relationship in which one parasite feeds on another parasite which in turn feeds on its host.

The correct choice is (d) Epi-PARASITE

To explain I would say: A relationship in which one parasite feeds on ANOTHER parasite which in turn feed on its host is called epi-parasite. These are also known as secondary or hyper PARASITES. An example is a bacterium in an insect’s gut that feeds on CATTLE.

The correct choice is (c) Crab

Easy EXPLANATION: Sacculina is a genus of barnacles that resides INSIDE the gut of a crab. It is a parasite that shows adverse effects on crabs such as it hinders the NORMAL metabolism of crab and also reduces its reproduction capacity.

The correct choice is (d) Female Anopheles mosquito

The best I can EXPLAIN: A female anopheles mosquito is a vector that TRANSMITS the malaria-causing protozoan called PLASMODIUM. Anopheles gambiae is one of the best-known vectors that transmit Plasmodium FALCIPARUM.

The correct option is (B) VECTOR

The explanation is: The organism CARRYING another organism to the HOST is called a vector. A vector itself does not cause disease but transfers the pathogen to host. Some major vectors are plasmids, cosmids, viral vectors, and ARTIFICIAL chromosomes.

Right CHOICE is (a) Within the cells of the host body

For explanation: The endo-PARASITES reside within the cells of the host body. These MAY be obligatory intercellular or intracellular parasites. Some EXAMPLES of endo-parasites are few PROTOZOANS, tapeworms, nematodes, helminths, etc.

The CORRECT answer is (b) PARASITOID

The best explanation: A relationship in which LARVAL development of one organism occurs inside or on the surface of another organism resulting in the death of the host known as a parasitoid. Parasitoids include species of beetles, flies, WASPS, and worms.

The correct choice is (a) Parasitism

Explanation: A RELATIONSHIP between organisms of different species where an organism is benefited and other is harmed is KNOWN as parasitism. The organism which is benefited is known as PARASITE while the harmed ONE is called the host.

Correct choice is (a) Shark

Best explanation: The pilot FISH accompanies a shark for feeding on FALLING PIECES of food. It may also ACCOMPANY rays or turtles. It is an example of commensalism in which pilot fish gains food WITHOUT harming another organism.

The correct choice is (a) COMMENSALISM

The best I can explain: An orchid growing on EPIPHYTE is an EXAMPLE of commensalism. Epiphytes grow on trees for air and sunlight while the tree is not harmed due to its presence. ANOTHER epiphyte growing on trees is a fern.

The correct option is (d) COMMENSALISM

Easy explanation: The phrase “sharing of food” or “sharing of the table” describes commensalism. It is a long-term relationship between TWO species in which ONE species derives the benefit while other is NEITHER HARMED nor benefited.

The correct answer is (a) 82%

Best explanation: Almost 80% of PLANTS rely on the mycorrhizal relationship. Mycorrhiza is a mutualistic interaction between fungi and plants. Plants rely on mycorrhiza for the uptake of minerals (nitrogen, phosphorous, etc.) from the soil, while plants SUPPLY essential nutrients such as SUGARS to fungi for their proper growth.

Correct CHOICE is (C) Mutualism

To elaborate: Mycorrhiza is a mutualistic interaction between fungi and plants. About 80-90 percent of plants RELY on mycorrhiza for the uptake of minerals (NITROGEN, phosphorous, etc.) from the soil. While plants supply essential nutrients such as sugars to fungi for their proper growth.

Correct CHOICE is (c) BACTERIA

The explanation: Bacteria LIVING in the intestine of ungulates benefit them. Since many of them are herbivores the gut-bacteria help in the digestion of CELLULOSE. Most of the gut-bacteria are ANAEROBIC in nature.