Question

Which one of the following plants shows a very close relationship with a species of moth, where none of the two can complete its life cycle without the other ?

• A. Hydrilla
• B. Banana
• C. Yucca
• D. Viola

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The question asks about a symbiotic relationship between a plant and a species of moth, in which neither can complete its life cycle without the other. This type of relationship is known as obligate mutualism.

Let's analyze the options:

1. Hydrilla: This is an aquatic plant commonly found in water bodies. It does not have a known symbiotic relationship with any moth species.
2. Banana: Bananas are tropical plants that do not rely on a specific moth species for their life cycle.
3. Yucca: Yucca plants are well-known for their close mutualistic relationship with Yucca moths. In this relationship, the moth pollinates the Yucca flowers while laying its eggs within them. The larvae of the moth then feed on some of the seeds, but enough seeds remain to propagate the Yucca plant. This mutual dependence ensures the survival and reproduction of both species.
4. Viola: These are flowering plants that do not have a specific symbiotic relationship with a moth species in the way that Yucca does.

Based on the analysis, the correct answer is Yucca. The Yucca plant and Yucca moth exhibit a classic example of obligate mutualism, where both the plant and the moth are dependent on each other for reproduction and survival.

This type of symbiotic relationship highlights the complexity and interdependence found in ecological systems, where the interactions between different species can be critical to their life cycles.