Which pair of organisms can be in a parasite/host relationship?
a
bees and flowers
b
goats and grasses
c
dogs and fleas
d
snakes and mice
c, dogs and fleas
Yep. I think its C.
The pair of organisms that can be in a parasite/host relationship is c) dogs and fleas.
The pair of organisms that can be in a parasite/host relationship is option C - dogs and fleas. To understand this concept, let's define what a parasite and host are.
A parasite is an organism that benefits in some way by living on or inside another organism, called the host. The parasite obtains nourishment and shelter from the host while potentially causing harm or disease. The host is the organism that provides the parasite with the resources it needs to survive.
In this case, dogs are the host organisms, as they provide an environment for the fleas to live and feed. Fleas, on the other hand, are the parasites, as they feed on the dog's blood and can cause irritation and discomfort to the host.
To answer this question, you needed to identify which pair of organisms fits the definition of a parasite/host relationship. Bees and flowers (option A) have a mutualistic relationship, not a parasitic one, as bees help pollinate flowers and, in return, obtain nectar as food. Goats and grasses (option B) have a herbivore/plant relationship, where goats eat the grass but do not typically harm or depend solely on the grass. Snakes and mice (option D) have a predator/prey relationship, with snakes hunting and consuming mice, but not necessarily harming the mouse population as a whole.