SYMBIOSIS is the interaction between 2 different organisms living together

HOST- usually the LARGER of the 2 organisms SYMBIONT- usually the SMALLER member

THE THREE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS ARE...

Click on a Picture Below to Learn About the Relationship

PARASITISM

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM

EXTRA PRACTICE ACTIVITY GO BACK TO SPECIFIC QUESTION

EXIT

PARASITISM
Is a relationship where the Symbiont lives in/on the Host The Symbiont (or Parasite) BENEFITS The Host is HARMED For example, the tick in the picture above is a parasite. It benefits by extracting blood from its human host. The human is harmed because
EXIT

Mutualism
Is a relationship between the host and a symbiont, where both organisms benefit and neither is harmed. The relationship can be long or short term. For example, in the photo above, the host flower benefits by being pollinated by the traveling butterfly. The symbiont butterfly benefits from the nectar that it extracts from the flower.

EXIT

Go Back To

COMMENSALISM
Is a relationship between the host and symbiont, where the symbiont benefits and the host is neither helped nor harmed. The symbiont benefits by receiving transportation, housing, and/or nutrition. For example, in the photo above the symbiont barnacles receive transportation from the host whale. The host whale is neither helped nor harmed by the barnacles.
EXIT

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

In this photo the cleaner fish receives nourishment by dining off of the parasites and remaining food debris in the eels mouth. Is this an example of 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

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

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

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 orchids presence. This relationship is an example of PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM

HELP

EXIT