Commensalism

Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. This relationship is important in the study of ecology and understanding how different species interact with each other in an ecosystem.

Key Points to Remember:

• Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.
• The organism that benefits is called the commensal, while the other organism is known as the host.
• Examples of commensalism include barnacles attaching themselves to whales or other marine animals to gain a stable surface for attachment and transportation, or birds building nests in trees for shelter without affecting the trees in any way.
• Commensalism is different from mutualism, where both organisms benefit, and parasitism, where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

Study Guide Questions:

1. What is commensalism and how does it differ from other types of symbiotic relationships?
2. Provide examples of commensalism in nature and explain how each organism benefits in the relationship.
3. Why is commensalism an important concept in ecology and the study of ecosystems?
4. Compare and contrast commensalism with mutualism and parasitism, highlighting the key differences between the three types of symbiotic relationships.