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

Give an example of mutualism.

Back

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

Front

Define commensalism.

Back

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

Front

Give an example of commensalism.

Back

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.

Front

Define parasitism.

Back

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

Front

Give an example of parasitism.

Back

An example of parasitism is a tapeworm living in the intestines of a mammal, where it absorbs nutrients from its host.

Front

What is a host in a parasitic relationship?

Back

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

Front

What is a parasite?

Back

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food at the host's expense.