Symbiosis: Definition, Meaning, Overview, Examples, Types

What Is Symbiosis?

Symbiosis is a mutual connection between two distinct living organisms where the organisms can interact for an extended period depending on the type of symbiosis. These can be positive where both species benefit which is referred to as mutualism, negative where only one species benefits or is harmed and the other is not affected and is known as commensalism and negative in which one of the species benefits but the other is harmed and is referred to as parasitism.

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Cooperation is vital in biology because it is the primary force behind the functioning of ecosystems and evolution. That is why ecosystems affect the chances of survival and reproduction of the individual and the ability to adapt, and it causes the entanglement of dependencies and mutual development of living beings. This is a great biological occurrence that plays a crucial role in analysing the functioning of ecosystems and their relations.

Types Of Symbiosis

The types of symbiosis are described below-

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship is best characterised when both the species that are involved get to benefit from the arrangement, and one such form of symbiotic relationship is mutualism. Such a relationship can also improve the existence and breeding of both species. An example to well understand is that of the bee and the flower. Bees feed on honey that is collected from flowers and in so doing they transfer pollen needed for the production of seeds onto the flowers.

Diagram: Mutualistic Relationship Between Bees And Flowers

Commensalism

Commensalism is another form of showing a symbiotic relationship that is inter-species and in it one of the species benefits while the other remains unbothered in any way. An example is the bit between the barnacles and the whales. Whale lice are parasitic creatures that cling to the skin of the whale to be granted a space to live; at the same time, the whale is not harmed.

Diagram: Commensal Relationship Between Barnacles And Whales

Parasitism

Symbiosis is the living together of two organisms different organisms living together especially with one of them being harmed or benefited. Parasitism is a type of symbiosis where one organism called the parasite benefits while the other one called the host is harmed. Such a relationship most likely hurts the host organism. An example is the association of fleas and dogs. The flea is a parasite that has a host and in this case, the host is the dog and feeds on the dog’s blood leading to uneasiness and even other health complications for the host.

Diagram: Parasitic Relationship Between A Flea And A Dog

Amensalism

Amensalism is the type of symbiosis in which one of the species is harmed or even killed with no impact on the other partner. An example is the discharge of chemical substances by some plants to retard the growth of other encroaching plants like the black walnut tree synthesizes juglone.

Table: Comparing Amensalism With Other Forms Of Symbiosis

Neutralism

Neutralism is quite similar to neutralism, in which the two species tolerate each other’s presence and do not interact. It is the most limited because it is a rarity in most relations since no relation is completely free of any effect. An example might be a spider living with a cactus in the desert, in which case the two are not enemies.