Interactions among Organisms

Types of Interactions Intraspecific relationship – organisms of the same species interact with one another Interspecific relationship – the interaction is between species of different kind

Determine whether the following picture/s shows an intraspecific relationship or an interspecific relationship

Beneficial or Harmful Relationships

Symbiosis Living Together

Symbiosis Means living together Symbiotic relationship may be Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism

Mutualism Kind of relationship where two organisms benefit from each other Examples are…

Continuous Association

Transitory Association

Commensalism A relationship in which one species benefits while the other is neither benefited nor harmed Commensal – the organism that benefits Host – the organism which is neither harmed nor benefited Examples are…

Barnacles and Whales Barnacles need a place to anchor. They must wait for food to come their way. Some barnacles hitch a ride on unsuspecting whales who deliver them to a food source. This does not effect the whale in any way.

Shark & Remora The remora attaches itself to the shark and saves energy since it doesn’t have to swim, and it gets to snack on the sharks kills. The shark doesn’t get anything.

Parasitism A type of relationship where one organism benefited while the other organism is harmed Parasite – the organism that is benefited Two kinds of parasites : internal and external Host – the organism that is harmed and it is also where the parasite lives Examples are…

Loa Loa Worm & Human This worm infects the human blood stream and gets a nice warm safe home there. The human may go blind or have other complications as a result.

Tapeworms The definitive host of the cucumber tapeworm is a dog or a cat (occasionally a human). Fleas and lice are the intermediate host. the dog or cat becomes contaminated when the eggs are passed in the feces, and the flea or louse ingests the eggs.  The dog or cat (or human) is infected when they ingest a flea or louse.  Hence the importance of controlling fleas on your pet!

Bedbugs Bedbugs are small, nocturnal parasites that come out of hiding at night to feed on unsuspecting humans.  They feed exclusively on blood!  Their bites often result in an allergic reaction.

EXTRA PRACTICE ACTIVITY In the following activity, you will be given a picture scenario. Identify and select the symbiotic relationship (parasitism, mutualism, or commensalism) represented in the picture. EXIT

SLIDE NAVIGATION INSTRUCTIONS ADVANCE TO NEXT SLIDE RETURN TO PREVIOUS SLIDE GET HELP, DEFINITION QUIT ACTIVITY EXIT

In this photo the “cleaner fish” receives nourishment by dining off of the parasites and remaining food debris in the eel’s mouth. Is this an example of… PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM HELP EXIT

That’s CORRECT! Keep up the great work! EXIT

SORRY MAN, TRY AGAIN SORRY MAN, TRY AGAIN EXIT

PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM HELP EXIT Clownfish are frequently found in the tentacles of sea anemones. Sea anemones capture their prey by paralyzing them with their tentacles. However, the clownfish produces a mucus that prevents the tentacles from harming it. By dwelling amongst the tentacles the clownfish receives a protected home. This relationship is an example of … PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM HELP EXIT

SORRY MAN, TRY AGAIN EXIT

That’s CORRECT! Keep up the great work! EXIT

The birds in the picture are munching on tiny parasitic insects located on the rhino. The relationship between the birds and the rhino is an example of… PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM HELP EXIT

SORRY MAN, TRY AGAIN EXIT

That’s CORRECT! Keep up the great work! EXIT

PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM EXIT Lampreys are primitive fish with limited digestive systems. They attach to and feed on the body fluids of fish with more advanced digestive systems, often leading to the death of the host fish. This relationship is an example of… PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM HELP EXIT

SORRY MAN, TRY AGAIN SORRY MAN, TRY AGAIN EXIT

That’s CORRECT! Keep up the great work! EXIT

PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM EXIT Orchids grow on the branches of high trees. These orchids get more water and sunlight than those on the ground. The tree is unaffected by the orchid’s presence. This relationship is an example of… PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM EXIT HELP

SORRY MAN, TRY AGAIN SORRY MAN, TRY AGAIN EXIT

That’s CORRECT! Keep up the great work!