2a2 Science Blog
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
HBL learning by Chenming
HBL Zhu Zehao 2A234
HBL Zhang Jie 2A233
3: Commensalism. The worker ants cut the tiny hairs from the plant they inhabit to build the spongy platform from the fibres. The ants are benefited while the plant is unaffected, thus their symbiotic relationship is commensalism. Example: Shark and pilot fish, the pilot fish can feed on leftover food from the shark and receive protection, while the shark is unaffected.
Parasitism. The ants chewed on plants and then regurgitate them to glue the structure of the platform together. In this case the ants make use of the plant to make the trap for capturing their prey, while the plant is harmed, so it is a Parasitism symbiotic relationship. Example: Flea and dog, the flea gets food and shelter while the dog is harmed because the flea feed on its blood.
Mutualism. The ants inhabit the plant to get food and shelter, while the plant receives protection from herbivores or parasitic plant. Example: Egyptian plover and the crocodile, the bird feed on the food stuck in the crocodile’s teeth and the crocodile get a mouth cleaning service.
HBL Benedict Chin 2A206
Deforestation through human activities will destroy all the plants and trees. The ants rely on trees and plants to ensnare traps to catch their prey. Without the trees, there will be no ways for the ants to capture its prey. Hence, the population will decrease, with an inability to find food.
2) From the extract, identify the different symbiotic relationships and cite the organisms involved.
Mutualism : The plant is protected by the ants, to capture the prey of the insects who want to eat the plant. The plant provides shelter for the ant. This is a mutual relationship.
Commensalism: The ant and the mould. The ant uses the mould as a form of structured defense and offense, but in return, the mould gets nothing. The ant makes holes in the platform and put in places pieces of sooty mould, which would quickly grow around the structure and reinforce it.
Predation: The ants feed on their prey. The ants is the predator, whilst the insects are the prey.
3)For each type of relationship you have identified in (a), name another example of a pair of organisms depicting that relationship in nature.
Mutualism : Clown Fish and Sea Anemone. The sea anemone protects the crab using its sting, and the crab allows the anemone to feed on its remaining food.
Commensalism: Crabs and aerial roots. The crabs climb on the aerial roots in mangrove and swampy areas to hide from predators, and the high tides. It is a form of shelter. The aerial roots do not get anything.
Predation: The tiger and the deer. This is a form of predation.
HBL Jovian Tan 2A231
The examples of mutualism include the sea anemones and hermit crab. The sea anemones give protection to the crab using its stinging cells, and it remoulds its shell to fit the crab while the hermit crab allows the sea anemones to consume the remains of its food, thus it also provides the sea anemones with food supply, which makes it a relationship beneficial to both.
The lion eating the deer.
HBL Koh Jing Yuan 2A217
3a)
Predation : The ants will trap their prey, sting them and then proceed to consume the prey.
Commensalism : The ants will cut hairs from the stem of the host plant and use the tiny fibres to build a spongy platform, in order to trap their preys. The ants benefited from this and the plants are not affected.
Mutualism : The ants protect the plants while the plants provides the ants with materials for them to build traps and also protein for the ants.
3b)
Predation : Barn owl and rats
Commensalism : Shark and Pilot fish
Mutualism : Hermit crab and sea anemones
HBL Eddie 2A221
There are many different human activites in the Amazon regions that will affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants, for exmaple, deforestation is one of them. When we carry out deforestation, one direct implication of the activity is the loss of habitat for the ants, a second indirect implication is the loss in the ability to capture preys, because the ants rely on the trees for traps on their preys, the loss of trees means the loss of prey, hence tremendously decresing its ability to capture preys.
3a)
Commensalism: Mould and the plant
Predation: Allomerus decemarticulatus ants and insects that fly near their traps
Competition: Allomerus decemarticulatus ants and the mould (for the host plant)
3b)
Commensalism: Remora fish and shark
Predation: Snake and rabbit
Competition: Snake and Eagle having similiar feeding habits
Online learning for 24th May
3a)
-> Commensalism
The ants benefit from making traps and capturing prey through cutting the hair of the stems of the tree. The ants therefore benefit. The tree however is not significantly harmed or damaged in the process.
-> Predation
Through setting up of traps, the ants capture their prey. So this can be counted as predation
-> Competition
Due to the presence of human activity, there will be an intensified competition amoung colonies of ants to find trees to set up traps.
3b)
Commensalism
Fishes hiding in the mangrove roots. The fishes acquire protection, but the trees do not have any obvious harm or damage.
Predation
The snakehead preying on smaller fishes like goldfish
Competition
Red-eared sliders introduced into wildlife of Singapore, and native species of turtles and terrapins will have more competition in obtaining prey.
Aceson Aw index 1 ( HBL 24 may )
3a) Mutualism: The (Allomerus decemarticulatus - Hirtella physophora) relationship is an example of mutualism. This species of worker ants only inhabit specifically in Hirtella phsophora . They seem to have taken advantage of the shelter and food(nectar), which the plant have provided for them, which is in fact simple parasitism. However, the plant also benefits greatly as the workers, with the help of traps and predation, defend the plant against parasitic insects and plants.
Commensalism : ( Mould - Allomerus decemarticulatus),the relationship between the two organisms depict commensalism as these ants benefits from its trap during predation, and they ut in place the mould into tiny holes of the traps so as to reinforce the trap. However, the mould does not have any significant benefits and continue to grow as per normal.
Predation: (- Allomerus decemarticulatus- parasitic insects), this explotative relationship can be considered as predation for the ants prey on the parasitic insects and kill them. The ants lay in ambush in the holes of the traps and grab hold of the insects, other ants would sting venom in the prey. This is beneficial to the ants but not to the insects.
3b) example for mutualism: (clownfish and sea anemone) the clownfish seeks shelter in the sea anemone to avoid from its predators as the tentacles of the sea anemone have a stinging mechanism which the clownfish is protected from due to a layer of mucus on them. While the clownfish protects the sea anemone from its predators.
Example for commensalism : ( barnacles and crabs) , barnacles feed on plankton and detritus on the shell of crabs before finding another good sources as the crab moves from one place to another. The crab remains unaffected.
Example of predation: (Cheetah Thompson Gazelle), the cheetah preys on Thompson Gazelle which results in the death of the prey, thus making is a form of predation, where the weaker ones get hunted
HBL 24 May (Hong Jin Xiang 2a213)
2) How has/will human activities in the Amazon regions affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants?
Human activities in the region include deforestation. As more trees are cut down, there would be a decrease in the number of tree hosts. With lesser hosts, the ants would not have enough “materials” to construct their traps. Thus, they would not be able to find food, and thus die of starvation. They would also be prone to predators as they do not have the shelter of the plants.
3 a) From the extract, identify the different symbiotic relationships and cite the organisms involved.
Clue: There are at least 3 types of relationship.
Mutualism: The relationship between the ants and the plant host. The plant provides the ants with shelter, and materials for constructing their trap, while the ants act as "guardians", protecting the plant from other invading species.
Commensalism: The relationship between the ants and the mould. The mould helps the ant by reinforcing their trap structure. However, the mould does not get anything in return from the ants.
Exploitative (Predation): The relationship between the ants and their prey. The ants prey on a passing insect. The ants benefit but the prey dies.
3 b) For each type of relationship you have identified in (a), name another example of a pair of organisms depicting that relationship in nature.
Mutualism: Clownfish and Sea Anemone. The sea anemone provides the clownfish with shelter from predators, while the clownfish lures unsuspecting fish into the tentacles of the sea anemone, providing it with food.
Commensalism: Remora and Shark. The shark provides the remora with protection and transport, as well as food (leftovers). However, the remora does not give anything in return, but also does not harm the shark.
Exploitative (Predation): Cheetah and Thomson Gazelle. The cheetah preys on the gazelle, and the gazelle is harmed or dead.
HBL Ambrose 2a202
- Predation - In this case the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants catches it prey.
- Parasitism - Allomerus decemarticulatus uses a host plant (Hirtella physophora) and farms the unusual fungus in order to exploit a niche opportunity for protein.
- Mutualism - The ants make holes in the platform and put in place pieces of sooty mould, which quickly grow around the structure and reinforce it.
- Predation - Owl and mouse
- Parasitism - Hookworms and Animals Intestine
- Mutualism - Bird and Deer
SC Online Learning (24/05/11)
2) How has/will human activity in the Amazon regions affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants?
Human activities like cutting down of trees, or deforestation would destroy their natural habitat, as they inhabit in the stem of a plant. This would also prevent them from catching their prey, as the way they catch their prey is to “cut hairs from the stem of the plant, and use the tiny fibres to build a spongy platform.” Without the plants, these ants would not be able to set up these traps, and might prevent them from catching their prey successfully, and the population might die because of hunger.
3a) From this extract, identify the different symbiotic relationships and site the organisms involved.
(i) Exploitative relationshipà Between the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants (predator) and the insect they eat (prey). In this case the ants get food, which benefits them, while the insect they prey on dies, which harms them.
(ii) Commensalism: Between the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants and the plants, which the ants get the hairs from. In this case, the ants would get the hairs from the stem they need to build their trap to get their prey, which benefits them. And, the plant would not be affected, as only the hair of the plant is taken away by the ants.
(iii) Competition: Between the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants as well as another carnivorous species who also feed on insects, in the Amazon region. In this case, the ants and the carnivorous predator would compete for food, and both of the species would have a negative impact.
3b) For each type of relationship you have identified in (a), name another example of a pair of organisms depicting that relationship in nature.
(i) Exploitative relationship: Between the rabbit (predator) and the grass (prey) in a forest community. In this case, the rabbit feeds on the grass, and benefits as it fills its stomach. While the grass on the other hand, dies, and thus is harmed.
(ii) Commensalism: Between the remora and the shark. In this case the remora fish hides under the shark and get protection as well as food, from the bits of food that fallout from the shark’s teeth, from the shark. While the shark does not get affected as the remora fish is small and unnoticeable.
(iii) Competition: Between the lion and the tiger. In this case, both animals are fighting for food as they are both carnivorous and feed on meat. Both animals would be harmed by the injuries they inflicted on the opposite party and would be negatively affected.
Done by: Chua Zhong Zhi (08)
HBL 24 May by Darryl Hwang (10)
3a)
Commensalism is involved. The ants take the hairs from the stem they inhabit and build a spongy platform. They would then be able to trap insects. The ants thus benefit from the plant in order to trap their preys. And this action does not affect the plants at all.
Predation is involved. The ants sting the injured insects, and in the end consume them
Competition is involved. The ants and the mould compete for protein.
3b)
Commensalism - Tigers and Golden Jackels
Predation - Fox and Chickens
Competition - Plants competing for sunlight
Done by: Darryl Hwang (10)
HBL Clement Chia 2A209
Predation - Owl and mouse
HBL Science 24/5/11 Aloysius Chan
2) Reflect on this:
How has/will human activities in the Amazon regions affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants?
The human activities such as deforestation in the Amazon regions affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants. This is so as when the human cut down the trees in the Amazon region, the ants would not be able to retrieve the “tiny fibres” from the trees and could not make the “spongy platform”. Thus, without all these, they could not make their trap and would be deprived of food, and thus, these Allomerus decemarticulatus ants will be extinct soon.
3) Answer the following questions:
a) From the extract, identify the different symbiotic relationships and cite the organisms involved. Clue: There are at least 3 types of relationship.
1. Mutualism: When the ants put the mould inside the holes in the platform, the mould would be able to grow very quickly, due to the protein that was provided by the ants. Thus, the ants give the mould protein, and the mould in turn, help them by hidden away from those prey
2. Predation: The ants get their source of energy from predating those preys that pass by their trap.
3. Commensalism: The ants would cut hair from the stem of the tree to use the fibre to build the spongy platform. The ants benefitted while the tree was not harmed.
b) For each type of relationship you have identified in (a), name another example of a pair of organisms depicting that relationship in nature.
Mutualism - Clownfish and sea anemones.
Commensalism: Cattle egrets and livestock
Predation: Venus Fly Trap and mosquito
Loh Jia Sheng 2A2 24 (HB learning 24 May)
3a.) Commensalism – The ants cut the hairs of the stem and use them to build their trap structure. The ants benefit while we can say that the plants are not affected.
Predation – The ants trap the other insects that pass by their trap structure, and prey on them. The ants benefit while the insect passer-bys gets is harmed.
Mutualism – The ants put in pieces of sooty mould in the holes that they make in their structure, and the mould would quickly grow over the structure to reinforce it. The ants benefit as the mould reinforces their trap structure while the mould also benefits because it would grow.
3b.)An example of commensalism: cattle egrets foraging in fields among cattle or other livestock. As cattle, horses and other livestock graze on the field, they cause movements that stir up various insects. As the insects are stirred up, the cattle egrets following the livestock catch and feed upon them. The egrets benefit from this relationship because the livestock have helped them find their meals, while the livestock are typically unaffected by it.
An example of Predation: Lions preying on deers in the African deserts.
An example of Mutualism: Bees extracting nectars from the flowers. They might bring along pollen grains to fertilize the female part of the flowers.
Home Learning By Dong De Xin
3a) The plants and ants have a symbiotic relationship is mutualism. The plant provides the ants with food, shelter and materials to build the trap to capture their prey. With the help of their traps and predation, the ants defend the plant from other insects and parasitic plants.
The insects also harvest a specific type of fungi that help them capture their prey. This is a commensalism relationship whereby the insects make use of the fungi to trap prey while the fungi do not gain anything from this.
The insects preying on other animals are a form of predator-prey relationship.
b) Another example of mutualism is the clownfish and the sea anemone. The territorial fish protects the anemone from anemone-eating fish, and in turn the stinging tentacles of the anemone protect the clownfish from its predators.
Another example of commensalism is the remora and the shark. The remora sticks itself onto the the shark and gets a free ride, it also eats the scraps of meat that fall out of the shark when it eats. In return, the shark does not benefit from the remora but the remora does not harm it.
Another example of predator-prey relationship is the lion and the zebra whereby the zebra is the prey and the lion is the predator.
home learning term 2(anthony low)
How has/will human activities in the Amazon regions affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants?
Human has been destroying the habitat of the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants as a result from deforestation for urban development. This will make the ants go without a home and eventually die. Soon, it will become extinct. In addition, by cutting down all the trees, we are destroying the traps made by the ants and soon they will have nothing to eat and lead to death.
3) Answer the following questions:
a) From the extract, identify the different symbiotic relationships and cite the organisms involved. Clue: There are at least 3 types of relationship.
mutualism. The trees and the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants.
Predation. The insects flying around and the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants.
Competition. The trees fight for sunlight.
b) For each type of relationship you have identified in (a), name another example of a pair of organisms depicting that relationship in nature.
Mutualism- clown fish and sea anemone.
Predation- tiger and deer
Competition- lion and hyena
HBL Javier Toh 2A214
2) Human activities in the Amazon regions would affect the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants. An example is deforestation, these forestland are being converted and being used for other purposes. The trees there are being cut down so that the land could be used, however, as shown in the TODAY article, the Allomerus decemarticulatus ants cut hairs from the stem of the plant they inhabit, and use the tiny fibers to build a spongy platform, which would then be reinforce to be used as a trap. When all the trees are being cut down, the ants will no longer have the resources to build their traps to capture their prey for food, thus this shows that human activities in the amazon forest would cause harm to the ants.
3a) Allomerus decemarticulatus worker ants cut hairs from the stem of the plant they inhabit, and use the tiny fibers to build a spongy platform(Allomerus decemarticulatus worker ants and plant)- Commensalism
Swarms of workers then rush over the hapless prey, stinging it into submission. The prone insect is then carted off towards the ants' home, a leaf pouch, where it is carved up.( worker ants and prey)-Predation
The structure is glued together with a protein that comes from chewed and regurgitated vegetation. The ants make holes in the platform and put in place pieces of sooty mould, which quickly grow around the structure and reinforce it.(mould and ants)-mutualism
3b)Commensalism- The cattle egret forages in fields among cattle and horses, feeding on insects stirred up by the grazing animals. The egret benefits from this relationship, while the livestock are typically unaffected by it.
Mutualism- The clownfish feeds on small invertebrates which otherwise potentially could harm the sea anemone, and the fecal matter from the clownfish provides nutrients to the sea anemone. The clownfish is additionally protected from predators by the anemone's stinging cells, to which the clownfish is immune.
Predation-Cheetah feeds on the Thompson Gazelle for food.