Interrelationships among organisms in the ecosystem

Front

What is mutualism?

Back

A type of symbiosis in which both species benefit from the interaction.

Front

What is parasitism?

Back

A type of symbiosis where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host).

Front

What is commensalism?

Back

A type of symbiosis in which one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Front

Define symbiosis.

Back

A close interaction between two different species that live together, often for an extended period.

Front

What is competition in an ecosystem?

Back

Occurs when two organisms vie for the same resources, such as food, space, or mates.

Front

Give an example of mutualism.

Back

Bees pollinating flowers; both the bees and the flowers benefit.

Front

Give an example of parasitism.

Back

Tapeworms living in the intestines of a host and absorbing nutrients.

Front

Give an example of commensalism.

Back

Barnacles attaching to a whale; the barnacles benefit while the whale is unaffected.

Front

What is predation?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.