In a hypothetical situation, a bacterium lives on the surface of a leaf where it obtains nutrients from the leaf's nonliving wax
y covering, which the leaf continually produces. The plant is not hurt or harmed by this feeding. Once the number of bacteria reaches a critical mass, they inhibit the growth of other microbes that damage the plant. Occasionally, these bacteria can gain access to the interior of the leaf, for example, if there is weather-related leaf breakage the exposes the plant's interior tissues. If this occurs, the bacteria feed on the plant's living tissue, causing minor damage. What sequences best describes the ecological roles played by the bacterium in this situation?
Mutualism= since the neither the bacteria nor the plant was disturbed with relationship, but rather benefited from one another.The bacteria only feed on the waxy covering on the leaf's surfaces, which is nonliving and has no effect on it living tissues,while the plants benefited through inhibition of other bacteria growth on it tissues ; this is Mutualism since the two organism plants and bacteria interrelate and belong to different species.
Pathogenic -since bacteria fed on the plant tissues and cause damages, this is pathogenic.it may lead to infection. The bacteria is said to be Pathogenic bacteria for this single act.
A dichotomous key uses questions or statements to help identify organisms, it also uses characteristics in it's questions ( that may be yes-no) and statements to help separate organisms from one another.
Since fish feeds primarily on large amphipod,
therefore what we expect to remain to evolve on ponds containing fish would be
smaller amphipod or crustacean. Then correct answer to this question would be:
<span>“Ponds with fish should have smaller amphipods.”</span>
