Symbiotic Relationships

Front

What is symbiosis?

Back

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

Front

Example of mutualism.

Back

An example of mutualism is the relationship between bees and flowers, where bees get nectar and flowers get pollinated.

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Example of commensalism.

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An example of commensalism is barnacles attaching to a whale; the barnacles benefit by getting a ride to feeding areas, while the whale is unaffected.

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Example of parasitism.

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An example of parasitism is a tapeworm living in the intestines of a mammal, where the tapeworm benefits and the host is harmed.

Front

What is the role of oxpeckers in mutualism?

Back

Oxpeckers eat parasites off large mammals like impalas, benefiting from food while helping the mammals by removing harmful parasites.

Front

How do hermit crabs demonstrate commensalism?

Back

Hermit crabs use empty shells left by snails for protection, benefiting from the shells while the snails are unaffected.