Blog

Combined Skills        1Mutualism is a relationship in which…

Combined Skills        1Mutualism is a relationship in which two organisms live together or cooperate with each other for mutual benefit. 2For example, termites eat wood but are unable to digest its cellulose. 3The cellulose is digested by protozoa that live in the termite’s gut. 4Termites benefit from the presence of the protozoa by getting food digested, and the protozoa benefit by being protected by the termite’s body. 5In fact, under normal conditions the protozoa would be unable to live outside of the termite’s body.        6Another interesting example of a mutualistic relationship is that of ants and acacia trees in Central and South America. 7 For a long time, scientists knew that the bull thorn acacia housed large numbers of ants. 8Careful study of this relationship has revealed the reason. 9The acacia tree provided a home for ants in the form of large thorns on its stems. 10Sometimes ten or fifteen ants can fit into one thorn. 11The tree also produces special growths on its leaves called beltian bodies. 12Chemical analysis of these structures revealed that they are full of glycogen, which is also called animal starch. 13The plant has a biochemical pathway that produces food used by ants. 14The acacia derives benefits too. 15Ants, protective of their food and housing, attack any predators that attempt to eat the acacia. 16In addition, the ants destroy other plants that, if allowed to grow, would shade the acacia and cut off its light. 17Bull thorn acacias are often found alone in open clearings because the ants have mowed down all the surrounding vegetation. The relationship between sentences 1 and 2 is _____.