Barnacles and whales have a commensalistic relationship in which barnacles benefit. if the barnacle population decreased, what would most likely happen to the whale population?

a. become extinct
b. decrease
c. increase
d. stay the same

I think the correct answer from the choices listed above is option D. If the barnacle population decreased, then the population of whales would stay the same. This is because barnacles have no effect to the existence of whales. Hope this answers the question.

The correct answer is D. stay the same

Explanation:

In a communalistic relationship between two individual one individual get benefits from its partner and the second individual is not harmed or benefitted with the presence of first partner.

So in case of symbiotic relationship between barnacles and whales, barnacles get benefited by attaching to the whale body which helps it collect food from passing waster and it does not affect whale in a positive or negative way.

So as the whale is not affected by the presence or absence of barnacles, therefore, there will be no change in the population of whale when the barnacle population will decrease. So the correct answer is D.

The blood pressure is highest in arteries and lowest in veins. The blood flow rate is highest in the arteries and lowest in the capillaries.