Symbiotic Relationships

THE THREE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS ARE...

PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM

EXTRA PRACTICE ACTIVITYGO BACK TO SPECIFIC QUESTION

Click on a Picture Below to Learn About the Relationship

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PARASITISM

• a relationship where the parasite lives in/on the host

• The 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.

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• a relationship between two organisms, where both organisms benefit and neither is harmed.

• For example, the host flower benefits by being pollinated by the traveling butterfly. The butterfly benefits from the nectar that it extracts from the flower.

Mutualism

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COMMENSALISM

• a relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

• For example, in the photo above the barnacles receive transportation from the host whale. The host whale is neither helped nor harmed by the barnacles.

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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.

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In this photo the “cleaner fish” receives nourishment by dining off of remaining food debris in the eel’s mouth. Is this an example of…

PARASITISM

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM

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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. The bright color of the clownfish attract other fish to the anemone. This relationship is an example of …

PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM

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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…

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PARASITISM

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM

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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…

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PARASITISM

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM

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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…

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PARASITISM

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM

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This lichen is a relationship between a fungus and an algae. The algae is photosynthetic and creates the food. The fungus provides the substrate for the algae to use as a home. What type of relationship is this?

PARASITISM

MUTUALISM

COMMENSALISM

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MUTUALISM

PARASITISM

COMMENSALISM

These bacteria form nodules on the roots of this soybean plant. The bacteria provide useable nitrogen to the plant. The bacteria receive food from the plant.

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COMMENSALISM MUTUALISMPARASITISM

The tapeworm attaches to the intestinal wall of the dog and uses nutrients that are absorbed by the dog.

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COMMENSALISM

MUTUALISM

PARASITISM

The tree provides a trellis that these grapes are using to get more light and space. The tree is not in danger.

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COMMENSALISMPARASITISM MUTUALISM

This shrimp is immune to the sting of the anemone’s tentacles. So, he can use it to hide from enemies.

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MUTUALISM

PARASITISM

COMMENSALISM

Liver flukes find nutrients within many different mammals. Typically this relationship damages the ability of the liver to do what it is supposed to do.

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COMMENSALISM MUTUALISMPARASITISM

This louse is attached to the head of a human, using it’s blood for nutrients.

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MUTUALISM

PARASITISM

COMMENSALISM

These cattle egrets will eat the insects kicked up by the cattle as the cattle forage for grass to eat.

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