What is symbiosis?
A symbiosis is an evolved interaction or close living relationship between organisms from different species, usually with benefits to one or both of the individuals involved. Symbioses may be ‘obligate’, in which case the relationship between the two species is so interdependent, that each of the organisms is unable to survive without the other, or ‘facultative’, in which the two species engage in a symbiotic partnership through choice, and can survive individually. Obligate symbioses are often evolved over a long period of time, while facultative symbioses may be more modern, behavioral adaptions; given time, facultative symbioses may evolve into obligate symbioses.
Endosymbiosis is a symbiotic relationship, occurring when one of the symbiotic partners lives within the body of the other. Endosymbiosis can take place either within the cells (intercellular symbiosis) of the ‘host’ organism, or outside the cells (extracellular symbiosis). On the other hand, ectosymbiosis is a symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives on the body surface of the host, including the lining of the digestive tract, or exocrine glands such as mucus or sweat glands.
Types of Symbiosis
Mutualism
Mutualism is the type of symbiotic relationship wherein both species benefit from each other. Just like you and your friend helping each other for an exam, except the fact that you belong to the same species.
A good example of mutualism is that of ants and aphids who support each other. Ants can transport aphids to new plants to eat, bring them inside the anthill when it is too cold, and protect them from predators like ladybugs. Ants do this because aphid poop is basically a sugar paste called "honeydew". Ants take care of the aphids because they can then eat the aphids' waste.
Commensalism
Commensalism is the type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits, whereas the other species remains unaffected.
If your friend will peep into your answers, it won’t affect your performance in exam, but it will definitely benefit your friend.
A good example for commensalism would be the shark and remora fish. When the shark feeds on small fishes it might leave leftovers, which is consumed by remora fish
The shark is unaffected by this, however, the remora fish is benefitted
Competition
Competition is a relationship between organisms that has a negative effect on both animals! This can happen when two animals are competing for food, land or a mate. It’s just like you writing your exam seriously to score more than your competitor in class. Sometimes they may win,and sometimes you may win. So none of you is reaping full benefits from this relationship
Parasitism
Parasitism is the type of symbiotic relationship, wherein one species is benefitted, whereas the other one is harmed.
It’s like a classmate exchanging answer sheets without your knowledge during an exam. Thus, they will benefit from the scores, whereas you will be harmed.
A good example will be of the dog and ticks. In biological systems, mainly parasites live on or inside the hosts body, and rely on the host for food and energy requirements, thus exhausting the host’s resources. The bacteria and viruses that attack us and make us sick, are the parasite who are benifiting at the cost of our health. So we are at a loss
Parasitism is different from predation, because parasites do not kill their host.
Predation
Predation is a relationship between the predator and prey. The predator survives by killing and eating the prey.
Luckily, predation is not observed in a normal school scenario.
Examples of predation could be anything where a higher tropic level animal hunts down a herbivore or lower trophic elvel animal for its meat e.g. snakes eating rats.
I would like to thank Gabriela Slizewska | Expii, Inc (Education Content Manager) for the beautiful artworks. Find the links below:
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