Question

Leaf cutter ants gather leaves to feed to fungus that they grow in their nests. The ants feed on the fungus. Is this a mutualistic relationship?

		Yes, the ants and the trees from which the leaves are harvested are in a mutualistic relationship.
		No, the ants are leaf parasites and have no relationship with the fungus.
		No, the ants are parasites on both the leaves and fungus.
		Yes, the ants and the fungus are engaged in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.

Answer 1

Option 4 - Yes, the ants and the fungus are engaged in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.

The leaf cutter ants make the fungus grow and also bring leaf parts to it and the fungus digests the leaf material and make available for ants, as the ants directly can't digest it. The ants make the leaf material available for the fungus (eg- Lepiotaceae) that grows in their nests, and the ants feed on fungus.
In this way both the ants and fungus are having benefits and the relationship is mutualism.