Symbiotic Relationships

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction. Example: Hummingbirds pollinating flowers while feeding on nectar.

Front

What is commensalism?

Back

A type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. Example: Cattle egrets feeding on insects stirred up by cattle.

Front

What is parasitism?

Back

A type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of the other. Example: A tick feeding on a dog.

Front

What is predation?

Back

A relationship where one organism (the predator) hunts and eats another organism (the prey). Example: A lion hunting a zebra.

Front

What is a symbiotic relationship?

Back

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

Front

Give an example of mutualism in nature.

Back

Ostriches and gazelles alert each other to predators, benefiting both species.

Front

Give an example of commensalism in nature.

Back

Silverfish living with army ants, sharing prey without affecting the ants.

Front

What is the difference between mutualism and commensalism?

Back

In mutualism, both organisms benefit; in commensalism, one benefits while the other is unaffected.

Front

What role do hummingbirds play in mutualism?

Back

They pollinate flowers while feeding on nectar, benefiting both themselves and the flowers.

Front

How do cattle egrets benefit from their relationship with cattle?

Back

They gain easy access to insects stirred up by the cattle, while the cattle are unaffected.