VocabularySymbiosis: A relationship of two organisms of different species. These relationships can be beneficial, one-sided, or negative.
Organism: An individual form of life. Grass, birds, trees, bacteria, people, are all organisms. Anything that is a living thing, no matter the size, is an organism. Mutualism: A mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. Both organisms benefit. commensalism: A one-sided symbiotic relationship. Only 1 organism benefits, but the other is not negatively impacted. parasitism: One species lives on, in or with a host species. One species benefits, but the other does not. |
Today's Target: Understand how symbiosis works, and how organisms can benefit from another.
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Symbiosis
Symbiosis is the existing relationship of two different living organisms. When two organisms have a relationship like this, it is called a symbiotic relationship.
Now, these relationships can be good for both organisms' survival, or good for just one of them. For the comic/movie/super-hero fans, yes the venom symbiote from Spider-Man is considered a symbiotic relationship. |
Mutualism
Mutualism happens when both organisms positively impact the other. There are many mutualistic symbiotic relationships in our world. These relationships are long lasting, and the organisms are considered to have adapted to their symbiotic partner.
Examples
The bee obtains the nectar from the plant, and the plant is able to reproduce due to the bee spreading its pollen from flower to flower.
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The shrimp digs a hole where the goby fish is able to hide in. The shrimp has terrible eyesight, so the goby warns the shrimp when predators come.
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The alligator has it's teeth cleaned, while the bird gets to have food.
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Commensalism
Commensalism is when only one organism benefits from the relationship. However, the other organism does is not negatively affected by the relationship. In other words, while one organism benefits, the other does not benefit, nor is it harmed.
Examples
Cattle egrets sit atop cows, ox, or buffalo and eat the bugs that are frequently circling. The Cow, ox, or buffalo receives no real benefit from this.
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The sucker fish latch themselves onto sharks. They are able to get around faster, and eat leftovers that the shark does not eat. The shark feels no pain, nor is affected by this symbiosis.
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Parasitism
Parasitism is when only one organism benefits as the other does not benefit. "Parasitism" relationships are parasitic, which means the organism that depends on the other organism for survival is a parasite.
Parasitism: The type of symbiosis
Parasitic: When something is acting like a parasite
Parasite: An organism that depends on another organism for nutrients, but also directly or indirectly harms the other organism.
All in all, parasites rely on another organism for survival, but the organism they rely on is hurt in the process.
Parasitism: The type of symbiosis
Parasitic: When something is acting like a parasite
Parasite: An organism that depends on another organism for nutrients, but also directly or indirectly harms the other organism.
All in all, parasites rely on another organism for survival, but the organism they rely on is hurt in the process.
Examples
Fleas are considered a parasitic organism as they latch onto dogs and feed on their blood. Dogs can get sick from infection, or if enough fleas infect the dog, the dog can suffer from anemia (low blood count).
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Cowbirds lay their eggs in other bird's nests. The dotted egg (the cowbird egg) will hatch and be fed by the original nest's owner. Cowbirds also tend to hatch faster, and are fed more in the nest.
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Discussion
Can you think of any symbiotic relationships we have with other organisms?