Question

In a hypothetical situation, a bacterium lives on the surface of a leaf, where it obtains nutrition from the leaf's nonliving, waxy covering, while inhibiting the growth of other microbes that are plant pathogens. If this bacterium gains access to the inside of a leaf, it causes a fatal disease in the plant. Once the plant dies, the bacterium and its offspring decompose the plant. What is the correct sequence of ecological roles played by the bacterium in the situation described here? Use only those that apply.

1. nutrient recycler
2. mutualist
3. commensal
4. parasite
5. primary producer

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answers and in this order would be: Mutualist, parasite and nutrient reciler

Explanation:

Mutualist, because at the beginning of the relationship, both organisms obtain benefit from the other: the plant obtains protection against pathogens and the bacteria obtains nutrients.

Parasito, because the bacteria, when entering the plant, lives at the expense of it, which is damaged and dies.

Nutrien recycler, because when the plant dies and is broken down by bacteria, in this process products that can be used as nutrients by other organisms are released.