Question

Classify the below relationships as mutualism, parasitism or commensalism. Explain why you chose the relationship that you did:
Your child comes home from school and complains of a sore, itchy scalp. A few days before you got a note from her teacher that some students in the class have lice. In the note, it explained that the lice are actually sucking blood through the child’s scalp and that this is quite uncomfortable for the child.

Answer 1

Answer:

The above relationship can be called as

PARASITISM.

The reason for terming it is as PARASITISM are as follows:

1. The lice (insect - Arthropoda) sucks blood through the scalp of the child.

2. The lice is deriving nutrition from the host (child) and also getting temporary shelter on the scalp (during feeding).

3. So, the lice is getting benefitted.

4. In the other hand, the child is suffering from itchy scalp. He is not getting benefitted, instead getting discomfort.

5. Such positive- negative relationship is appropriately termed as PARASITISM