Chapter 15, Problem 1.1SC

Distinguish among the different types of symbiosis.

Summary Introduction

To distinguish: Among the different types of symbiosis.

Introduction: Symbiosis is defined as the interaction between two or more species. The different types of symbiosis include mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism

Explanation of Solution

The differences between mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism are listed below:

Criteria	Mutualism	Commensalism	Parasitism
Definition	It is a type of symbiosis in which both of the interacting organisms are mutually benefitted.	Commensalism is a type of symbiosis in which one organism gets the benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted in the interaction between two species.	In parasitism, one of the organisms get the benefits, and the other is harmed, which is the host.
Example	Escherichia coli is a bacterium that lives in the large intestine of humans, which releases products such as vitamin K and in turn, it gets a favorable environment for its survival.	The microorganisms that live on the skin surface of humans make use of the metabolic products that are secreted from pores. In this case, humans are neither benefitted nor harmed, whereas the microorganisms are benefitted.	The deer tick is a parasite that attaches to warm-blooded organisms and feeds on the blood for their survival. They also cause Lyme disease. In this case, the tick gets benefitted while the animal gets harmed due to the loss of blood and nutrients.