Relationships Between Organisms

The robin may also have to compete with the flicker bird to get the caterpillar A robin in a meadow finds a caterpillar and swallows it. This is one obvious way organisms in an ecosystem interact

Ants work together to build a nest, collect food, and defend the colony

Organisms both compete and cooperate in an ecosystem.

Use Your Relationship Between Organisms Organizer to Take Notes

One type of relationship between organisms is Predator/Prey.

Predator is an animal that eats another Predator is an animal that eats another. Prey is an animal that is eaten by a predator.

Another type of relationship is Competition.

For what might these species be competing? Competition, species may compete with one another or different species for resources. For what might these species be competing?

In an ecosystem, competition also occurs between different species. For what might these species be competing?

Sometimes, the survival of one species might depend on another species.

Symbiosis The relationship between individuals of two different species who live together in a close relationship.

Mutualism is a Symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit from the relationship.

The bees get food (nectar), and the flowers get pollen from other flowers carried by the bees to make seeds. The relationship between a flower and a bee is an example of Mutualism.

Mutualism

Commensalism is a Symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other is not affected.

The remoras stick to a shark’s skin, catch a ride, and eat leftover scraps from the shark. The shark is barely affected. The relationship between a shark and a remora is an example of Commensalism.

Parasitism is a Symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other is harmed.

The relationship between a tick and a dog is an example of Parasitism. The tick attaches to its host and feeds on its blood. The tick causes poor health and loss of production to its host. The relationship between a tick and a dog is an example of Parasitism.

1. The clownfish feeds on small invertebrates that otherwise have potential to harm the sea anemone, and the fecal matter from the clownfish provides nutrients to the sea anemone.

2. The Banded Mongoose searching for parasites on the skin of a Warthog.

3. An orchid grows on the trunks or branches of trees 3. An orchid grows on the trunks or branches of trees. The orchids get the light they need as well as nutrients that run down along the tree. As long as the orchids do not grow too heavy, the tree is not affected.

4. Ringworm is a fungal infection that is caused by an organism that lives on the cells of the outer layer of the skin

5. The Atlantic Puffin use burrows for nesting that were made by rabbits.

6. Termites eat wood, but cannot digest it 6. Termites eat wood, but cannot digest it. A single-celled organism lives in its gut and breaks down the wood into digestible parts. The single-celled organisms get a safe place to live, and the termites get a food source.

7. Hermit Crabs use snail shells for shelter once the snail has died.

8. Vampire Bats feed on the blood of mammals.

Symbiotic Relationship Examples Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism

Symbiosis Activities