WANTED: Interactions Amongst Organisms

Mutualism, a relationship between two species in which both species benefit. The ox pecker bird, which is seen standing on the head of this antelope, removes ticks and other irritating insects and eats them as his primary food source. In return, the ox peckers often signal the presence of predators that may attack the antelope providing protection for them. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Commensalism is a relationship between two species in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected. Clownfish live within the waving mass of tentacles of sea anemones; because most fish avoid the poisonous tentacles, the clownfish are protected from predators. The sea anemones are not affected by the clownfish at all. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Parasitism a relationship between two species in which one species, the parasite, benefits from the other species, the host, which is harmed. Fleas harm their hosts, such as dogs, by biting their skin, sucking their blood, and causing them to itch. The fleas, in turn, get food and a warm home. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Mutualism, a relationship between two species in which both species benefit. There is a relationship between the fruit of some plants and fruit eating birds. The fruit provides nutrition for the bird and in return the bird spreads the seeds of the plant as the fruit, loaded with seeds passes through the bird’s digestive system and the seeds are deposited on the ground to grow into new plants. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Mutualism, a relationship between two species in which both species benefit. There are protozoa, very small organisms, which live in the gut of termites. Without these protozoa, the termite would be unable to digest the wood that it eats. The protozoa, in return, are provided with food, shelter and a means of transportation. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Commensalism is a relationship between two species in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected. Cattle egrets are birds that live near grazing cattle. They seem to benefit from living with the cattle, because the cattle disrupt insects in the grasses, providing the birds with a readily available food source. The cattle gain nothing from this relationship. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Parasitism a relationship between two species in which one species, the parasite, benefits from the other species, the host, which is harmed. Brown-headed Cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, such as the Wood thrush, and do not provide any parental care for their own offspring. Care that the Wood thrush provides to the young Cowbirds is care that they do not give to their own young. This often has results in the death of the young Wood thrush and survival of the Cowbird. This type of symbiotic relationship is called…

Parasitism a relationship between two species in which one species, the parasite, benefits from the other species, the host, which is harmed. The fungus "chicken of the woods" grows on trees. The fungus breaks down the tree and gets its nutrients that way. As a result of the fungus, the tree decays, gets weak, and is in danger of falling during bad weather. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Mutualism, a relationship between two species in which both species benefit. Bees are dependent on flowers, the pollen and nectar that they get from flowers is an important source of energy for the bees. Flowers are also dependent on the bees, as the bees move from flower to flower they pollinate the flowers, allowing them to reproduce and by creating fruits and seeds. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Commensalism is a relationship between two species in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected. Entomoeba gingivalis, is an amoeba, small organism, that lives in the human mouth. It feeds on bacteria and food scraps in the mouth with no benefit or harm done to its human host. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Parasitism a relationship between two species in which one species, the parasite, benefits from the other species, the host, which is harmed. The tapeworm pictured above is a flatworm that attaches itself to the insides of the intestines of animals such as cows, pigs, and humans. They get food by eating the host's partly digested food, taking important nutrients away from the host. This symbiotic relationship is called…

Commensalism is a relationship between two species in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected. Orchids, which are plants found in tropical areas, have a relationship with the trees on which they live. The orchids benefit from the environment provided by these trees, while the trees do not appear to be helped or harmed. This symbiotic relationship is called…