In a hypothetical situation,a bacterium lives on the surface of a leaf,where it obtains nutrition from the leaf's nonliving,waxy covering while inhibiting the growth of other microbes that are plant pathogens.If this bacterium gains access to the inside of a leaf,however,it causes a fatal disease in the plant.Once the plant dies,the bacterium and its offspring decompose the plant.What is the correct sequence of ecological roles played by the bacterium in the situation described here? Use only those that apply.
A)nutrient recycler,commensalist,pathogen
B)mutualist,commensalist,pathogen
C)mutualist,pathogen,nutrient recycler
D)nutrient recycler,mutualist,primary producer
E)nutrient recycler,mutualist,commensalist

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bacterium starts as a mutualist on the surface of the leaf, obtaining nutrition from the nonliving, waxy covering while inhibiting the growth of other plant pathogens. However, once it gains access to the inside of the leaf, it becomes a pathogen, causing a fatal disease in the plant. Once the plant dies, the bacterium and its offspring decompose the plant, acting as a nutrient recycler. Therefore, the correct sequence of ecological roles played by the bacterium is mutualist, pathogen, and nutrient recycler, which is represented by choice C.

In a Hypothetical Situation,a Bacterium Lives on the Surface of a Leaf,where