Symbiotic Relationships (Ecology)

Symbiosis is a close interaction between two different organisms, which can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful to one or both parties.

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

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

Abiotic refers to non-living things in an ecosystem, such as water, sunlight, and minerals.

An example of commensalism is barnacles growing on a whale's skin.

An example of mutualism is bees pollinating flowers while obtaining nectar.

An example of parasitism is a leech sucking blood from a turtle.

The role of a parasite is to benefit by feeding on or harming the host organism.

A host is the organism that is harmed or used by the parasite for its benefit.