Symbiosis

What is symbiosis?

What it means: •Two organisms that live together•Temporarily or for a longer time•At least one of the organisms benefits from the relationship

Literal definition: “the act of living together”

What are the different kinds of symbiosis?

ParasitismMutualism

Commensalismboth

organisms benefit

one organism benefits

(parasite)

one organism benefits

one organism

is unaffecte

d

one organism

is harmed(host)

Mutualism: both benefit

Example 1: Acacia plant with ants

Ants protect plant from herbivores and kill any plants that

start to grow near the Acacia

Acacia makes nectar for the ants to eat.

Mutualism: both benefit

Example 2: Moray Eel with Cleaner Fish

Moray Eel gets a clean mouth Cleaner Fish gets a meal

Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected

Example 3: Cattle with cattle

egretsCattle stir up insects

as they eat grass

Egrets hang

around and eat insects

Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected

Example 4: Clown fish with anemone

Clown fish gets

protection Anemone is

probably unaffected

Mutualism: both benefit

Example 5: Antelope with Oxbird

Antelope gets rid of it’s

parasites Oxbird gets a meal

Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed

Example 6: Taenia worm in human eye

Worm infects human blood

streamHuman may go

blind

Some cool video-clips on symbiosis:

1. Ant and Butterfly Symbiosis

2. Benefits of living together

3. Under the sea

4. The symbiotic rhino song

Name that Symbiosis:What kind of symbiosis is this?

Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed

Name that Symbiosis:What kind of symbiosis is this?

Mutualism: both benefit

Name that Symbiosis:What kind of symbiosis is this?

Mutualism: both benefit