SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Symbiosis is a relationship in which two different organisms live in close

association with each other

Here are three types of symbiotic relationships

Mutualism ++

both organisms benefit The small green

insects (aphids)use their mouths to suck sugar from the plant. The sugar runs out through their anus providing food for the ants. The ants protect the aphids from insect predators.

Parasitism+-

one organism benefits and the other one is harmed

The green larvae is harmed by the small white parasites. The parasites use the larvae for food.

Commensalism+ 0

one organism benefits and the other one is unaffected (neither harmed nor benefits)

The clown fish gets a place to safely live because the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone protects it from predators. The sea anemone is unaffected by the clown fish.

Note: It is not necessary for you to

know what the organisms are in order to figure out the correct

symbiotic relationship. Pay attention to the way the

organisms relate to one another.

Let’s practice identifying the correct symbiotic

relationships of the organisms in the following

scenarios.

The tick gets food from the deer without killing it. The deer is harmed

by losing blood to the tick, and possibly by getting an infected

wound.

Parasitism

An American Robin benefits by building its nest in a Red Maple

tree. The tree is unaffected.

Commensalism

The honey bee gets to eat the pollen from the flower. The dandelion uses

the bee to spread its pollen to another flower.

Mutualism

Individual Practice

You have 6 scenarios on your paper.On your own correctly identify the symbiotic relationship by placing the letter M for mutualism,P for parasitism and C for commensalism in the blanks.

What is predation?

Predation is the act of

one organism killing another for food.

On your paper, write down your own two

examples of predation

What is the difference between parasitism and predation?

Parasitism harms the organism and usually lives in or on it’s host and may slowly or eventually lead to the host’s death.

Predation is immediate conquer and eat. (predator-prey)

Identify whether the following scenarios are

predation or parasitism

Predation

Female mosquitoes ingest blood from humans and

mammals for the protein to feed their larva. The saliva of the mosquito causes the skin to become irritated and itchy.

Parasitism

The Lioness stalks a herd of water buffalo until she finds a young buffalo on its own and she attacks, kills and drags it

back to her pride.

Predation