Symbiosis

Relationships in Nature

Symbiosis

What it means:
•Two organisms that live together
•Temporarily or for a longer time
•At least one of the organisms

benefits from the relationship

What are the different kinds of

symbiosis?

Mutualism

Parasitism

Commensalism

both organism's

benefit

one organism

benefits

one organism

benefits

one organism
is unaffected

one organism

is harmed

Mutualism

Organism One Organism Two

Commensalism

Organism One Organism Two

Parasitism

Organism One Organism Two

Multiple Choice

Acacia Plant & Ants

The ants lay eggs on acacia tree, so they get a nice safe place for their eggs. The acacia covers the infected area with brown flesh (called a gall.) The plant must use valuable resources to create the gall.

• Mutualism

• Commensalism

• Parasitism

Multiple Choice

Boxer Crab & Anemones

This Boxer Crab carries a pair of stinging anemones in its claws, which it uses to defend itself from predators. The anemones get to move around which increases their food supply.

• Mutualism

• Commensalism

• Parasitism

Multiple Choice

Shark & Remora

The remora attaches itself to the shark and saves energy since it doesn’t have to swim, and it gets to snack on the sharks kills. The shark doesn’t get anything.

• Mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Multiple Choice

Cattle & Cattle Egrets

As these cattle walk around eating grass they stir up lots of insects. The egrets hang around and get a yummy meal of insects.

• Mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism

Multiple Choice

Loa Loa Worm & Human

This worm infects  the human blood stream and gets a nice warm safe home there. The
human may go blind or have other complications as a result.

• Mutualism

• commensalism

• parasitism