Interactions in Ecosystems Organism Interaction Interactions in Ecosystems

Review: Predation Occurs when one organism hunts and kills another organism for food Predator: the hunter Prey: the hunted, killed, and eaten organism Predators have adaptations to help them hunt prey Prey have adaptations that help them avoid predators

Symbiosis The relationship between two organisms in which at least one is benefited; the other organism may benefit, be hurt, or be unaffected

Mutualism a relationship in which both organisms benefit. Clown fish and sea anemone Bees and flowers Butterflies and flowers

Commensalism A relationship in which one organism receives benefits while not hurting or helping the other. Birds on Bison Dog under High Chain Orchids on Trees

Parasitism a relationship where one organism benefits (the parasite) and the other is negatively affected (the host). Mistletoe growing on trees

Examples of common parasites: Malaria parasite: is microscopic and infects individual cells. (develops and lives in the blood stream) Tapeworm: The longest tapeworm ever removed from a human was ___37 feet____ in length. They live inside mammals digestive track. Lancet Liver Fluke: organism found in uncooked meat. At this point the students DO NOT need to know specifics as far as different parasites are concerned, however, these 3 examples will illustrate the basic patterns that parasites follow as far as having different stages in life cycles, different hosts, and extreme size variance. -Students will be responsible for the overall patterns, but not the specifics as far as individual parasites. The following diagrams are extremely complicated, but again, we are looking for basic patterns, not small individual differences or specifics.

Journal Questions: How are parasitism and predation different? How are they alike? Where would a parasite fit into the food web? Come up with 3 other examples of each type of symbiotic relationship.