Symbiosis

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 organisms benefit from the interaction.

Front

Define commensalism.

Back

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

Front

Define parasitism.

Back

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

Front

Example of mutualism.

Back

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

Front

Example of commensalism.

Back

An example of commensalism is barnacles attaching to a whale; barnacles benefit by getting a ride to feeding areas, while the whale is not affected.

Front

Example of parasitism.

Back

An example of parasitism is a tapeworm living in the intestines of a host animal, absorbing nutrients at the host's expense.

Front

What is competition in ecology?

Back

Competition is an interaction between organisms where they vie for the same resources, such as food, space, or mates.

Front

How does parasitism differ from predation?

Back

Parasitism involves one organism living on or in another and harming it, while predation involves one organism (the predator) killing another (the prey) for food.