In a hypothetical situation, a bacterium lives on the surface of a leaf, where it obtains nutrition from the leaf's nonliving, waxy covering while inhibiting the growth of other microbes that are plant pathogens. if this bacterium gains access to the inside of a leaf, however, it causes a fatal disease in the plant. once the plant dies, the bacterium and its offspring decompose the plant. what is the correct sequence of ecological roles played by the bacterium in the situation described here? a. mutualist, commensal, pathogenb. nutrient recycler, commensal, pathogenc. nutrient recycler, mutualist, primary producerd. mutualist, pathogen, nutrient recycler

D. mutualist, pathogen, nutrient recycler

Explanation:

Both the leaf and bacterium derived benefits from thier coexistence -this is mutualism.

The destruction of the leaf by bacteria when it gained entry into the leaf is pathogenic.

While the decomposition of the leaf to maintain nutrients cycle is needed in ecosystem.

D. mutualist, pathogen, nutrient recycler

Explanation:in mutualism,both the leave and the plants benefits from each other

Then as the bacteria moves into the plant,it becomes a pathogen to the plant , living off the plant and causing diseases

As the plant dies,the bacteria helps to break down and decompose the plant and return the initial nutrients in the plant back to the environment.this activity of the bacteria ensures that nutrients are continually Available to be reused

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