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Explain how organisms interact through symbiotic, commensal, and parasitic relationships.

Relationships between organisms are an important part of ecological systems. If a relationship is symbiotic, this means that two organisms live in close quarters and may interact with one another. There are several types of symbiotic relationships, including parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism. Parasitism is a specific kind of relationship where one organism lives off of another. Insects like fleas are parasites and engage in parasitic relationships where they drink the blood of a host organism.


Commensalism is kind of the opposite of parasitism-- two organisms may share a living space and one benefits while doing no harm to the other. For example, clown fish live inside of anemones. The anemone can cause stinging, but because the clown fish coats itself in a protective slime, it does not get stung. In this way, the clown fish is protected by the anemone, which may sting other organisms, and the anemone is not at all harmed.


Mutualism describes a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between two organisms. Do you have any pets in your home? If so, you are a part of a mutualistic relationship! The pet receives food and shelter from you, and you receive the emotional comfort a pet can provide. In nature, plants and bugs often have mutualistic relationships. Many flowers, fruits, and vegetable plants rely on pollination by bees or flies in order to produce. These bees and flies get to enjoy the sweet nectar blossoms provide, and pollination helps produce a new generation of plants!

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