Symbiosis Examples Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is symbiosis?

The relationship between organisms living closely together.

What is commensalism?

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism neither benefits nor is harmed.

What is predation?

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism preys on (and eats) another organism.

What is mutualism?

A symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit. Signup and view all the answers

What is parasitism?

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is harmed. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of predation.

Lion and zebra - The lion hunts and kills the zebra for its food. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of mutualism between fish and other organisms.

Wrasse Fish and Black Sea Bass - Wrasse fish feed on the parasites found on the black sea bass's body. Signup and view all the answers

What do oxpeckers do in their mutualistic relationship with rhinoceroses?

Oxpeckers feed on ticks found on the rhinoceros and alert them to danger. Signup and view all the answers

How do barnacles benefit from their relationship with whales?

Barnacles attach themselves to whales, benefiting from mobility and access to nutrient-rich waters. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of parasitism involving a dog?

Tapeworm and dog - The tapeworm feeds off the dog's nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What type of relationship do aphids and honeydew-secreting ants have?

Mutualism - Honey ants provide protection in exchange for honeydew secreted by aphids. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do mosquito bites have on humans?

Mosquito bites cause red, itchy bumps and can transmit diseases. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the sea anemone provide for clownfish?

The sea anemone provides protection from predators. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of commensalism involving birds.

Certain birds follow army ant raids to catch the insects stirred up by the ants. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in a mutualistic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plants?

The fungi help plants absorb nutrients while gaining carbohydrates from them. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the relationship between lice and humans.

Lice attach to hair and feed on human blood, causing irritation. Signup and view all the answers

How do otters benefit from kelp forests?

Kelp provides a place to anchor and otters eat sea urchins that feed on kelp. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Symbiosis Overview

Symbiosis is the close and long-term interaction between two different organisms.
This relationship can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral to one or both parties involved.

Types of Symbiotic Relationships

Commensalism

One organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
Example: Orchids grow on trees, gaining nutrients without affecting the host tree.
Remora fish attach to sharks, gaining food scraps without harming the shark.

Mutualism

Both organisms benefit from the relationship.
Example: Wrasse fish clean parasites off black sea bass, benefiting from food while helping the fish.
Honey guide birds lead badgers to beehives, allowing both to access honey.
Bees pollinate flowers while gathering nectar, facilitating plant reproduction.

Parasitism

One organism benefits at the expense of another, causing harm.
Example: Black wasps lay eggs in aphids, leading to the aphids' death.
Tapeworms inhabit dogs, feeding on their nutrients and harming their health.

Predation

One organism preys on another for food, resulting in the death of the prey.
Examples include lions hunting zebras and wolves chasing caribou.
A polar bear hunts seals, while frogs capture insects for meals.

Specific Examples

Predation:
- Alligators capturing deer and sharks eating fish highlight clear predator-prey dynamics.
- Grasshoppers and cows foraging on plants illustrate herbivorous predation.
Commensalism:
- Clownfish benefit from protection in sea anemones while leaving them unharmed.
- Mosses growing on trees receive light and nutrients without affecting the trees.
Mutualism:
- Boxer crabs carry anemones for camouflage, while anemones gain mobility and food.
- Oxpeckers eat ticks off rhinos, helping both species maintain health.
Parasitism:
- Lice infest human hair, resulting in irritation and potential disease transmission.
- Bird mites may bite humans in search of new hosts, causing itching.

Additional Insights

Mutualisms often involve complex relationships with ecological significance, such as mycorrhizal fungi helping plants with nutrient absorption while benefiting from organic material.
Symbiotic relationships can define ecosystems, like the balance between predator and prey maintaining population control.

Conclusion

Understanding these symbiotic relationships emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the complexity of survival strategies among species.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the different types of symbiotic relationships with these flashcards. Learn definitions and examples of symbiosis, including commensalism, predation, and mutualism. Perfect for biology students and enthusiasts alike!