Question

Define the following terms and give one example for each:

(a) Commensalism

(b) Parasitism

(c) Camouflage

(d) Mutualism

(e) Interspecific competition

Answer 1

(a) Commensalism: It is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits from the association while the other organism is neither harmed nor benefited. Example: The remora fish that attach themselves to sharks to get transported and feed on the leftovers of the shark's meals.

(b) Parasitism: It is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other organism (the host). Example: Tapeworms living in the intestines of animals and obtaining nutrition from the host's digested food.

(c) Camouflage: It is the ability of an organism to blend in with its surroundings to avoid detection. Example: The chameleon changing its skin color to match its environment and escape from predators.

(d) Mutualism: It is a type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the association. Example: The relationship between bees and flowers, where bees obtain nectar and pollen from the flowers for their nutrition, while the bees help in pollinating the flowers.

(e) Interspecific competition: It is the competition between two or more different species for limited resources such as food, water, and shelter. Example: Cheetahs and lions competing for prey in the savanna ecosystem.