Ants symbiosis



Some attine ants carry vegetation into their nests and add fungal material, thereby creating “gardens” in which fungal food for the ants grow. Because the ants play the behaviorally active role, it seems compelling to say that they cultivate and control the passive fungi. But even if that is true, the symbiotic association has existed for so long that cultivar traits may have evolved in the fungi that benefit the fungi but not necessarily the ants. Furthermore, many microorganisms have developed sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate the physiology and behavior of their symbiotic animals. It is not implausible, therefore, that the ants’ fungi have evolved chemical and physiological schemes that alter ant behavior to serve the fungus’ reproductive interests, possibly even compromising the reproductive interests for the ant hosts.


1. The passage points out which of the following in order to explain the appeal of the notion that some attine ants cultivate and control fungus?
A. The ants play the behaviorally active roles in the symbiotic relationship.
B. The ants purposefully carry vegetation into their nests for their own consumption.
C. Fungus is physiologically a passive substance.
D. Other organisms are able to manipulate their symbiotic partners.
E. The chemical and physiological properties of the fungus are subject to ant influence.


2. In the context in which it appears, the word “manipulate” most nearly means
A. influence
B. oversee
C. coerce
D. deceive
E. outmaneuver


At first, the author points that it seem that the ants are cultivating the fungi; however, it is the fungi influence the ants through chemical and physiological methods.

Point: ants are cultivating the fungi
Evidence: the ants play the behaviorally active role
  (Because the ants play the behaviorally active role, it seems compelling to say that they cultivate and control the passive fungi)

Point: cultivar traits may have evolved in the fungi that benefit the fungi but not necessarily the ants
Evidence: 
1. the symbiotic association has existed for so long 
2. many microorganisms have developed sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate the physiology and behavior of their symbiotic animals



1. The passage points out which of the following in order to explain the appeal of the notion that some attine ants cultivate and control fungus?
A. The ants play the behaviorally active roles in the symbiotic relationship.

(Because the ants play the behaviorally active role, it seems compelling to say that they cultivate and control the passive fungi)

B. The ants purposefully carry vegetation into their nests for their own consumption.
C. Fungus is physiologically a passive substance.
D. Other organisms are able to manipulate their symbiotic partners.
E. The chemical and physiological properties of the fungus are subject to ant influence.


2. In the context in which it appears, the word “manipulate” most nearly means
A. influence
B. oversee
C. coerce
D. deceive
E. outmaneuver
(to use cleverness or skill to gain an advantages over someone)

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