Question

What is symbiosis? Explain with the help of an example.

Answer 1

Symbiosis:

1. It is illustrated as an association or relationship between two distinct organisms, which share similar habitats.
2. The three kinds of behaviors witnessed in symbiotic relationships are commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism.
3. A relationship between two organisms in which one is benefitted and the other is neither benefitted nor harmed is commensalism.
4. An association between two or more species where each species exhibits a net benefit is mutualism.
5. A relationship between two living organisms in which one is benefitted at the expense of the other is parasitism.

Example:

1. The bacteria lactobacillus is found in the gut of humans, which holds a mutualistic association with humans.
2. It protects the host against the invasions of pathogens, and in turn, the host offers a source of nutrients for the bacteria.