Biology 2015 JAMB Past Questions - Question 29: Which of the follow ingis an example of parasitism?

Correct Answer

B

Explanation

Mistletoes a partial parasitic plant of orange, bread fruit and kola trees. The parasite develops sucking tubes called haustoria which grow into the phloem tissues through which manufactured food of the host is transported to different parts of the plant. The haustoria suck the food being transported in fluid form until the plant dies. Fungi growing on a dead tree branch exhibits saprophytism. Cattle egrets taking ticks from the body of cattle exhibits mutualism. The cattle also benefits because the ticks which the egrets pick from its body are capable of causing the cattie anaemia and other body discomfort. A squirrel living in abandoned nest of a bird shows commensalism. The squirrel benefits alone by using the nest as home.