S8-Ecological Relationships

S8-Ecological Relationships

by David Victor Banares

​Predation

When an organism kills and eats another one, the relationship is called predation.​

​Predator

​Prey

​Competition

In the same food web (Figure 7.3), take note that both the bird and the field rat depend on grains while the snake and the owl both prey on the field rat. These situations demonstrate a relationship called competition.​

​Mutualism

​The butterfly serves as an agent of pollination. As it sucks the sweet nectar of the flower, its hairy wings brush off pollen grains against the stigma of the flower. In effect, the butterfly helps the flowering plant to reproduce sexually.

​Commensalism

A relationship where one of the participating organisms is benefited while the other is unaffected is known as commensalism.​

​Parasitism

In this picture, why do you think the dog is scratching its neck with its paw? It is probably bothered by ticks that have attached to its skin and are sucking its blood. This relationship where one of the participating organisms is benefited while the other one is harmed but does not necessarily die is known as parasitism.​