AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A preeminent association between flowering plants and insects is pollination. Pollination is a mutualism in which two interactors reciprocally benefit: a host plant receives the service of insect pollination in return for a reward provided for its insect pollinator.

Detailed explanation-2: -Aphids and ants Many aphid species are known to engage in a mutualistic relationship with ants that feed on the honeydew by ‘milking’ the aphids with their antennae. In return, some species of ants will protect the aphids from predators and parasites.

Detailed explanation-3: -A good example of an obligate mutualism is the yucca plant and the yucca moth. The yucca plant is absolutely dependent on the yucca moth to pollinate its seeds. The yucca moth larvae cannot survive without yucca seeds to eat. The system works because the larvae eat only some-not all-of the seeds.

Detailed explanation-4: -It is a relationship between different species where both species benefit from the relationship. A good example of a mutualism is the relationship between aphids and ants. The aphids secrete a sugary solution called honeydew. Ants drink the honeydew and, in return, they protect the aphids from predators.

Detailed explanation-5: -A mutualism is obligate when one species relies completely on another species for goods or services. Yucca moths and yucca plants have a reciprocal obligate relationship-the plants cannot make seeds without the yucca moth, and the moth larvae only reach maturity if they eat developing yucca seeds (Pellmyr 2003).