Brood Parasitism: Egg Mimicry — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2023Match List-I with List-II: (NEET 2023) List-I (Interacting Species) A. A Leopard and a Lion in a forest/grassland B. A cuckoo laying eggs in crow’s nest C. Fungi and root of higher plant in mycorrhizae D. A cattle egret and cattle in a field List-II (Interaction Type) I. Competition II. Brood parasitism III. Mutualism IV. Commensalism Choose the correct answer:
Match List-I with List-II: (NEET 2023) List-I (Interacting Species) A. A Leopard and a Lion in a forest/grassland B. A cuckoo laying eggs in crow’s nest C. Fungi and root of higher plant in mycorrhizae D. A cattle egret and cattle in a field List-II (Interaction Type) I. Competition II. Brood parasitism III. Mutualism IV. Commensalism Choose the correct answer:
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
A-I: Leopard and Lion compete for same prey (competition). B-II: Cuckoo laying eggs in crow's nest is brood parasitism where cuckoo benefits, crow is harmed. C-III: Mycorrhizae shows mutualism where fungi get organic compounds from plant roots while providing minerals/water to plants. D-IV: Cattle egret benefits from insects disturbed by cattle movement while cattle are unaffected (commensalism). All matches are correctly paired.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
Brood parasitism in birds is a fascinating example of parasitism in which the parasitic bird lays its eggs in the nest of its host and lets the host incubate them. During the course of evolution, the eggs of the parasitic bird have evolved to resemble the host's egg in size and colour to reduce the chances of the host
Brood parasitism is when a parasitic bird (like cuckoo) lays eggs in another bird's nest, and the host bird unknowingly incubates them. The parasite's eggs evolve to match the host's eggs in size and color, reducing rejection by the host. Students often confuse this with other types of parasitism or forget that egg mimicry is the key evolutionary adaptation. Remember: the parasite doesn't care for its own eggs—the host does, making this a successful survival strategy. NEET tests this by asking why parasitic bird eggs resemble host eggs or defining the mechanism of brood parasitism.
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