Name______________________________________________________
Date___________________
Symbiotic Relationships Assessment
1. Cattle egret birds and elephants are in a symbiotic relationship. By riding on the backs of
elephants, cattle egret birds receive protection and obtain food from the insects infesting the
elephant’s skin. The elephant receives a cleaning of parasites in return.
a. Mutualism
b. Commensalism
c. Parasitism
d. Predation
2. Algae and fungus live together in a symbiotic relationship known as lichen. The algae provides
food for the fungus through photosynthesis, while the fungus obtains nutrients from the soil for
the algae to use in making the food.
a. Mutualism
b. Parasitism
c. Predation
d. Competition
3. Caterpillars are victim to certain species of wasps that lay eggs inside of the caterpillar. The
eggs will hatch and grow and eat the caterpillar from the inside out causing the death of the
caterpillar
a. Mutualism
b. Commensalism
c. Parasitism
d. Competition
4. Tapeworms are organisms which live inside the intestines of humans and other animals. From
there they feed on and grow within the intestines of the individual. The host individual is losing
resources in the form of food and will become sick as a result.
a. Mutualism
b. Commensalism
c. Parasitism
d. Competition
5. Remoras attach themselves to sharks as they swim through the water. When the shark finds
food, the remoras eat some of the food left behind by the shark. The shark feels no effect.
a. Mutualism
b. Commensalism
c. Parasitism
d. Predation