Competition, Predation and Symbiosis

Bellringer Name a biotic factor in a forest. Name two limiting factors for a population of lions. What is carrying capacity? A mouse eats acorns what is a mouse called in the food web? (Producer, Consumer, Decomposer)

Competition There are three major types of interactions among organisms: 1. Competition 2. Predation 3. Symbiosis What are three major types of interactions among organisms?

Competition Different species can share the same habitat and food requirements. Competition is the struggle between organisms to survive as they attempt to use the same limited resource. In any ecosystem, there is a limited amount of food, water and shelter. Organisms that survive have adaptations that enable them to reduce competition. What is competition? What do organisms have to do in order to reduce competition?

An adaptation is a change that helps an organism, such as a plant or animal, survive in its environment. Turn to page 60 in your textbook

Bellringer 1. What is the difference between a food chain and a food web? 2. Name three adaption that prey use to protect themselves against predators. 3. Who are nature’s recyclers?

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Symbiosis Symbiosis – is a close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species. There are three types of symbiotic relationships: 1. Mutualism 2. Commensalism 3. Parasitism What is symbiosis? What are the three types of symbiotic relationships?

Mutualism Mutualism – A relationship in which both species benefit. Example: The relationship between the Saguaro Cactus and Long Eared Bats. Cactus flowers provide bats with food The cactus benefits because the bats carry pollen from cactus to cactus on their noses. What is Mutualism?

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.

Commensalism Commensalism – Is a relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither helped nor harmed. Example – The red-tailed hawks’ interaction with the saguaro cactus. The hawks benefit by having a place to build their nests. The cactus is not affected by the hawks. What is commensalism?

Commensalis m The Remora fish attaches to the shark and gets a free ride. Birds build nests in trees.

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.

Commensalism Commensalism is not very common in nature because species are usually either helped or harmed a little by any interaction.

Parasitism Parasitism – a relationship when one organism is helped and the other is harmed. that The organism that benefits is called a parasite. The organism that is harmed or in is known as the host. What is parasitism? What does a parasitic relationship consist of?

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.

Parasitism Wasp eggs on back of caterpillar. Mosquito biting a human. Sea lampreys feed on fluids of other fish.

Parasitism Common parasites are fleas, ticks and leeches. These parasites have adaptation that enable them to attach to their host and feed on their blood. Other parasites live inside the host’s body such as tapeworms, that live inside the digestive systems of dogs, wolves, and some other mammals.

Parasitism Unlike predators, a parasite does not usually kill the organism it feeds on.

Predation Predation is an interaction in which one organism kills another for food. The organism that does the killing for food is the predator. The organisms that is killed for food is the prey. What is predation? What is the relationship between predator and prey?

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)

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.