Symbiotic Relationships

Front

What is symbiosis?

Back

Symbiosis is a close and long-term interaction between two different species, which can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral to one or both parties.

Front

What are the three main types of symbiotic relationships?

Back

The three main types of symbiotic relationships are mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Front

Define mutualism.

Back

Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Front

Define commensalism.

Back

Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

Define parasitism.

Back

Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other, causing harm.

Front

Example of mutualism: Oxpeckers and rhinoceroses.

Back

Oxpeckers eat ticks off rhinoceroses, benefiting from food while helping the rhinos by removing parasites.

Front

Example of commensalism: Barnacles and whales.

Back

Barnacles attach to whales for a place to live, benefiting from the whale's movement without affecting the whale.

Front

Example of parasitism: Mistletoe and spruce trees.

Back

Mistletoe extracts nutrients from spruce trees, harming the tree while benefiting itself.

Front

What is an example of commensalism in nature?

Back

Cattle egrets follow cattle to feed on insects stirred up by their movement, benefiting from easy food while the cattle are unaffected.

Front

How does mutualism differ from commensalism?

Back

In mutualism, both species benefit, while in commensalism, one benefits and the other is unaffected.