Species Interactions

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

Front

What is commensalism?

Back

A relationship between two organisms where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

What is symbiosis?

Back

A close physical relationship between two different species, which can be mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic.

Front

What is predation?

Back

A biological interaction where one organism (the predator) kills and eats another organism (the prey).

Front

What is parasitism?

Back

A relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another, often harming the host.

Front

Example of mutualism: Honey guide birds and badgers.

Back

Honey guide birds lead badgers to bee hives; both benefit from the interaction.

Front

Example of commensalism: Remora fish and sharks.

Back

Remora fish attach to sharks for transportation and food, while the shark is unaffected.

Front

What is competition in ecology?

Back

An interaction where two or more organisms vie for the same resources, such as food, space, or mates.

Front

What is a tertiary consumer?

Back

An organism that is at the top of the food chain, feeding on secondary consumers.

Front

Define ecological niche.

Back

The role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.