An orchid benefits by growing on a tree trunk and the tree is unaffected by the orchid's presence. What term describes this relationship?
A)mutualism
B)commensalism
C)brood parasitism
D)parasitoidism
E)herbivory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In commensalism, one organism benefits without affecting the other organism. In this scenario, the orchid benefits by growing on the tree trunk, but the tree is unaffected. It is not mutualism, as both organisms are not benefiting from each other. It is not brood parasitism or parasitoidism, as those involve one organism benefiting at the expense of the other organism. It is also not herbivory, as that involves an organism consuming and damaging another organism.

An Orchid Benefits by Growing on a Tree Trunk and the Tree