Symbiosis

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What is symbiosis?

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Symbiosis is a close relationship between two different species that live together, often interacting in ways that benefit one or both of them.

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What is mutualism?

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Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species benefit from the interaction.

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What is parasitism?

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Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other, which is harmed.

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What is commensalism?

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

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Can you give an example of mutualism?

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

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Can you give an example of parasitism?

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An example of parasitism is a tapeworm living in the intestines of a cat, where the tapeworm benefits and the cat is harmed.

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Can you give an example of commensalism?

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An example of commensalism is barnacles attaching to a whale; the barnacles benefit by getting a ride to food, while the whale is unaffected.

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What is competition in ecology?

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Competition is when two or more species compete for the same resources, such as food, space, or light.

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What is the role of oxpeckers in mutualism?

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Oxpeckers are birds that eat parasites off large mammals like impalas, benefiting from food while helping the mammals by removing harmful parasites.

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How does symbiosis affect ecosystems?

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Symbiosis plays a crucial role in ecosystems by promoting biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and the stability of ecological communities.