Question

This bacterium derives nutrition by digesting human intestinal contents (in other words, food). Humans lacking this bacterium have no measurable reproductive advantage or disadvantage relative to humans who harbor this bacterium. Consequently, the bacterium can be properly described as which of the following? 1. symbiont 2. endotoxin 3. mutualist 4. commensal a. 1 and 2 b. 4 only c. 2 and 3 d. 2 and 4 e. 1 and 4

Answer 1

Answer: Option B) 4 only.

The bacterium can be properly described as a commensal only

Explanation:

A biological association where one of the two organisms benefits while the other neither benefits nor get harmed describes Commensalism.

For instance, this bacterium derives nutrition from man, and man is neither benefited or harmed.

Thus, the bacterium is a commensal