Symbiotic Relationships

Front

What is a symbiotic relationship?

Back

A close interaction between two different species, where at least one species benefits.

Front

What are the three main types of symbiotic relationships?

Back

Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism.

Front

Define mutualism.

Back

A type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

Front

Give an example of mutualism.

Back

A clownfish and a sea anemone; the clownfish gets protection while the anemone gets food.

Front

Define commensalism.

Back

A type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

Give an example of commensalism.

Back

An imperial shrimp riding on a sea cucumber; the shrimp benefits from transportation, while the cucumber is unaffected.

Front

Define parasitism.

Back

A type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Front

Give an example of parasitism.

Back

A tick feeding on a dog; the tick benefits by getting food, while the dog is harmed.

Front

What is predation?

Back

A relationship where one organism (the predator) kills and eats another organism (the prey).

Front

How does predation differ from parasitism?

Back

In predation, the predator kills the prey, while in parasitism, the parasite lives on or in the host and may not kill it immediately.