Which of the following is not an example of predation?

a.

a blue whale feeding on zooplankton

b.

a tree obtaining nutrients from the soil

c.

a caterpillar eating the leaves of a tree

d.

a wolf eating a deer

(b). a tree obtaining nutrients from the soil.

Explanation:

Predation is a type of biological interaction, in which one organism (predator) kills and feeds on another organism (prey). Eating zooplankton by whales, eating plant leaves by caterpillar, and eating a deer by a wolf are examples of predation, in which one organism is feeding on another.

Nutrient absorption from soil by the plants is not an example of predation as it does not represent any biological interaction between two organisms.

Thus, the correct answer is option (b).