Symbiosis
Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism
Sybiosis
Symbiosis refers to any relationship in which two species live closely together. There are three types of symbiosis: Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism. In Mutualism, both members of the species benefit. In Commensalism, one member of the species benefits while the other is left unharmed. In Parasitism, one member of the species benefits while the other is harmed.
Parasitism
A human and a tick: A tick is attached to the human and sucks the humans blood. The tick benefits by getting nutrients from the human's blood, but the human is harmed.
http://www.necsi.edu/projects/evolution/co-evolution/parasites/co-evolution_parasite.html
Photo credits to: http://www.mypet.com/fleas-and-ticks/facts-about-ticks.aspx
Commensalism
Cattle Egrets and Cattle: Cattle Egrets (birds) fly near and around livestock. When the cows eat grass, it uncovers worms. The Cattle Egrets eat these worms. This is commensalism because the Cattle Egrets benefit and the cattle are unharmed.
Info and Photo: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/examples-of-commensalism.html
Mutualism
Zebras and Oxpeckers: Oxpeckers rest on Zebras' backs and eat ticks. This is mutualism because the Oxpeckers benefit by eating insects and gaining food. The Zebra benefits because the Oxpeckers protect them from parasites
Info and Photo: http://www.necsi.edu/projects/evolution/co-evolution/mutualistic/co-evolution_mutualistic.html.
Mutualism
Bee and Flower: Bees go from flower to flower, benefiting by taking nectar and making it into food. The flower benefits because when the bees travel from flower to flower, they pick up pollen and take it to the next flower. They bringing of this pollen to a new flower pollinates it. This is mutualism because they both benefit.
Info and Photo: http://www.necsi.edu/projects/evolution/co-evolution/mutualistic/co-evolution_mutualistic.html
Commensalism
Orchids and Trees: In tropical forests, orchids grow on trees. Orchids do this because they can get more sunlight than if they were on the ground. This is commensalism because the orchids benefit and the trees aren't harmed.
Info and Picture: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/examples-of-commensalism.html
Parasitism
Ladybugs and Plants: Ladybugs will live on plants and eat the aphids. This is parasitism because the ladybugs benefit with food and nutrients will the plant is harmed because they are eaten.
Info and Picture: http://www.necsi.edu/projects/evolution/co-evolution/parasites/co-evolution_parasite.html