Symbiosis Worksheet Answer Key

Symbiosis

Any of the various coexisting relationships between individuals of two distinct species, such as mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, is referred to as symbiosis. As a result, both advantageous and harmful relationships are present, and the participants are referred to as symbionts.

No matter whether two species benefit, hurt, or have no effect on one another, any link between populations of two species that coexist is symbiotic.

The meaning of symbiosis

1. : the coexistence of two distinct creatures in a close or more intimate relationship (as in parasitism or commensalism), particularly: mutualism
   The symbiosis… between the native population and the immigrants is defined as
2. : a cooperative relationship (as between two persons or groups)—John Geipel

Though it had first occurred in English in a non-scientific context in 1622, the term “symbiosis” was only embraced by the scientific community in the late 1800s. “Mutualism” is the term for a biological symbiosis that benefits both parties. For instance, the yucca moth serves as a pollinator when she deposits her eggs in the yucca’s seed pods. When the larvae hatch, they consume some of the seeds, but not all of them. “Parasitism” is the term for when one organism feeds off another at the expense of the other. The word “symbiosis,” which means “condition of living together,” was introduced to us via German and New Latin and derives from the Greek word symbisis.

Sentences with symbiotic examples

• The hippopotamus and the bird coexist as one species.
• They had a symbiotic working relationship.

Symbiosis’s etymology and history

adapted from German Symbiose; adapted from Greek symbsis “living together, companionship,” from symbi-, variant stem of symbioûn “to live with, live with” (from sym- sym- + bioûn “to live, pass one’s life,” derivative of bos “life”). + more at rapid entry 1: -sis -sis

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“Symbiosis: The Art of Coexistence”

Any association or interaction between two diverse species is referred to as symbiosis. Whether one or both organisms benefit from the association determines the exact type of symbiosis.

At least millions of different species live on Earth. Different species frequently coexist in the same areas and compete with one another for the same resources, leading to a range of interactions that are commonly referred to as symbiosis. The four basic types of symbiotic partnerships are parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism.

Let’s take a look at an example of a natural ecosystem, like the ocean, to examine these relationships. The diversity of organisms is well-known in oceanic habitats. Consider that you are on a diving expedition to discover the underwater realms. The association between clownfish and sea anemones is a prime example of mutualism, and it can be found in the warm waters of the Pacific or Indian Oceans. The mutualistic relationship is advantageous to both species. Living affixed to coral reef surfaces are sea anemones. Nematocysts, which are stinging cells, are found on their tentacles and are used to capture their prey. When a small animal comes in contact with an anemone’s tentacle, nematocysts release toxins. The stung animal becomes paralyzed as a result, making it simple for the anemone to swallow it whole.

While most fish perish from these poisonous stings, clownfish secrete a chemical in their body mucus that prevents nematocysts from firing. As a result, the clownfish may securely swim between the anemones’ tentacles, providing a safe haven where prospective predators are driven away by the stings of the anemones. Clownfish certainly profit from this, but what about sea anemones? Other fish hunting for a food are drawn to the clownfish’s vibrant colors. The anemones then capture and consume these unaware would-be predators.

We may see the commensalistic association between barnacles and humpback whales as our fictitious deep-sea journey goes on (Megaptera novaeangliae). When one species coexists with, inhabits, or is inhabited by another species—the host—this is known as commensalism. The association has neither positive or negative effects on the host species. In our hypothetical scenario, different types of barnacles cling to the skin of whales. The particular process by which barnacles are able to do this is unknown to science, but it doesn’t seem to worry the whales. How does this unusual alliance assist the barnacles? Both species gorge on the voluminous microorganisms that thrive in the plankton-rich waters where the enormous whales convey the tiny barnacles.

Certain symbiotic interactions undoubtedly have negative effects. When a parasite lives beside, inside of, or on top of its host species, the host species suffers. In contrast to predation, the parasite does not immediately kill the host; instead, the host may become ill and eventually pass away. Nematodes, leeches, and barnacles are a few examples of typical parasites discovered in the water. That’s accurate, although coexisting alongside whales, barnacles are parasites of swimming crabs. A barnacle may establish roots inside a crab’s ovary. The crab is not killed by this encounter, but its ability to reproduce is significantly reduced.

The battle between species for the same few resources in an environment serves as the final illustration of symbiosis that we will examine throughout our fictitious dive. Both intraspecific and interspecific competition can take place between individuals of the same species (interspecific competition). The interaction between corals and sponges is an illustration of interspecific competition in the ocean. Coral reefs have a lot of sponges. However, if they are too prosperous, they will steal food and other resources from the reef’s corals. Sponges may temporarily outcompete corals for resources, but if too many corals perish, the reef suffers. The sponges could start to die off until the reef is balanced once more, which is disastrous for them.

Symbiotic connections can be helpful indicators of the health of an ecosystem. For instance, extensive areas of coral reefs are badly harmed or extinct as a result of recent rises in ocean temperature brought on by climate change. As the temperature rises, coral begin to eject the algae that are mutually dependent with them. The coral dries out and turns white without its algae. This loss of symbiosis is an early indicator of deteriorating coral health and emphasizes the significance of investigating both the positive effects that humans can have on these interactions as well as symbiosis within marine settings. We must appreciate and care for the oceans as if our lives depended on it, in the words of National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle. Since they do.

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