An example of a saprophytic relationship is a / an

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which example shows saprophytism (a saprophytic relationship).

Step 2: Explain the concept A saprophyte is an organism, usually a fungus or bacterium, that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter. It does this by secreting digestive enzymes onto the material (extracellular digestion) and then absorbing the dissolved nutrients through its body surface. Saprophytes do not ingest food in lumps, and they have no mouth or digestive tract.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Vulture feeding on decaying meat: A vulture is an animal that eats carrion. It swallows and digests food internally, so it is a scavenger, not a saprophyte.
• B. Mushroom growing on decaying vegetation: A mushroom is a fungus with no chlorophyll. It secretes enzymes onto dead plant material and absorbs the digested nutrients. This is saprophytism.
• C. Boy eating stale bread: A human ingests food and digests it internally. This is holozoic nutrition, not saprophytism.
• D. Earthworm feeding on decaying vegetation: An earthworm ingests the material and digests it in its gut. It is a detritivore, not a saprophyte.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B, a mushroom growing on decaying vegetation.

Tip: Ask yourself whether the organism swallows the food or absorbs it after digesting it externally. Fungi such as mushrooms, moulds (Rhizopus, Mucor) and yeasts are the classic saprophytes. Animals that swallow dead matter are scavengers or detritivores. Remember: Saprophyte = Secrete enzymes, then Soak up nutrients.