Understanding Symbiosis in Nature

Front

What is symbiosis?

Back

Symbiosis is a close relationship between two different species of living things.

Front

What are the three main types of symbiosis?

Back

The three main types of symbiosis are mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

Mutualism is a type of symbiosis where both species benefit from the relationship.

Front

Can you give an example of mutualism?

Back

An example of mutualism is a bird eating insects off a cow’s back, helping the cow by getting rid of bugs.

Front

What is commensalism?

Back

Commensalism is a type of symbiosis where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

Can you give an example of commensalism?

Back

An example of commensalism is a bird building a nest in a tree, where the tree is not affected.

Front

What is parasitism?

Back

Parasitism is a type of symbiosis where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

Front

Can you give an example of parasitism?

Back

An example of parasitism is a tick biting a dog and making it itchy.

Front

What is a parasite?

Back

A parasite is an animal that takes food or shelter from another animal and hurts it.

Front

What is a host in a parasitic relationship?

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A host is the animal that is harmed by the parasite.