leaf cutter ant colonies, the ants clip leaves to feed a fungus garden and then the ants feed on the fungus. Is this a mutualistic relationship?

Question

A.  No, the ants are parasites on both the leaves and fungus.
B.  Yes, the ants and the trees are in a mutualistic relationship.
C.  No, the ants are leaf parasites but have no relationship with the fungus.
D.  Yes, the ants and the fungus are engaged in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.

Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
What type of thinking is required?

  Gather Content
  What do you already know about leaf cutter ants and fungi? What other information is related to the question?

  Choose Answer
  Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?

  Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

D.  Yes, the ants and the fungus are engaged in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.

Clarify Question
What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        · The key concept here is the nature of the relationship between leaf cutter ants and fungi.
What type of thinking is required?
        · Evaluate level:
            o This question is asking you to weigh and judge, or evaluate, the relationship between leaf cutter ants and fungi.

  Gather Content
  What do you already know about leaf cutter ants and fungi? What other information is related to the question?
        · Leaf cutter ants cultivate fungi within their colony.
        · Fungi are fed leaves that the ants cut from surrounding trees.
        · Within the colony, the fungi receive a sheltered place in which they can grow.

  Choose Answer
  Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        · Parasites feed on the host without consuming it entirely. Ants are not parasites.
        · Since the ants feed on the fungus, they do have an ecological relationship with the fungus.
        · The trees do not obtain any benefits from the ants, so the relationship between the ants and the trees is not mutualism.
        · The fungi benefit from their association with the ants by the secure habitat that the ant colony provides. The ants benefit by obtaining a food source from the fungi. Since both benefit, this is a mutualistic relationship.

  Reflect on Process
Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        · Evaluate level:
            o Answering this question correctly depended on your ability to weigh and judge, or evaluate, leaf cutter ants and fungi. If you got an incorrect answer, did you remember that leaf cutter ants provide a secure location and nutrients for the fungi, or that the ants benefit by using the fungi as food? Did you have trouble relating leaf cutter ants and fungi to determine the correct answer?