Q. A female fig wasp enters the syconium of a fig, pollinates the flowers and lays eggs in the ovaries of some of the flowers. The young larvae grow up, eat (and kill) some, but not all of the seeds and complete their life cycle. The fig is completely dependent on fig wasps to pollinate its flowers and the fig wasp requires figs to complete its life cycle The interaction between figs and fig wasps has aspects of I. mutualism II. host-parasite interaction III. competition IV. ammensalism V. protocooperation Select the correct option
A) I and II
B) I and III
C) V and VI
D) III and IV
Explanation
The given example should two types of interaction (i) Mutualism The fig plant is completely dependent on fig wasp to pollinate its flower and fig wasp requires figs to complete its life cycle (ii) Host parasite interaction Fig wasp completely dependent over the fig plant for its food shelter, development, etc. Fig wasp act as a parasite and fig plant act as a host
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.