Which statement best describes predation?

Which statement best describes predation?

• A. A benefit to both species
• B. One species benefits while the other is harmed
• C. One species is unaffected
• D. The prey benefits

Answer: (B)

Predation is a plus-minus interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts and eats another, the prey. The predator gains energy and nutrients from the prey, while the prey is harmed and typically killed. This best fits the idea that one species benefits at the expense of the other. The scenario where both benefit would describe mutualism, not predation; the prey benefiting would be the opposite of what happens; and a neutral interaction would imply no effect on either, which isn’t the case here because predation changes the prey’s fate.

Predation is a plus-minus interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts and eats another, the prey. The predator gains energy and nutrients from the prey, while the prey is harmed and typically killed. This best fits the idea that one species benefits at the expense of the other. The scenario where both benefit would describe mutualism, not predation; the prey benefiting would be the opposite of what happens; and a neutral interaction would imply no effect on either, which isn’t the case here because predation changes the prey’s fate.