Symbiosis

Definition of Symbiosis

Symbiosis is a close, long-term interaction between two different species that live in close proximity. In symbiosis, the relationship can be mutually beneficial, commensal, or harmful, depending on how the species interact.

Symbiotic Relationships

Symbiotic relationships are close interactions between two different species that live near each other and affect each other in some way. There are three main types:

Mutualism: In mutualism, both species benefit. For example, bees and flowers have a mutualistic relationship: bees get food from flowers, and flowers get pollinated by bees.
Commensalism: In commensalism, one species benefits, and the other is neither helped nor harmed. For example, barnacles attach to whales to catch food in the water, but the whale doesn’t get anything in return, and it isn’t harmed.
Parasitism: In parasitism, one species benefits (the parasite), while the other is harmed (the host). An example is fleas on a dog. The fleas get food by drinking the dog’s blood, but the dog can suffer from itching or infection.

So, in symbiotic relationships, the way species interact can be positive for both, neutral for one, or harmful for one.