Cooperative Relationships

Some organisms have special relationships within their community.

Some are good for both animals

Some are good for one animal and hurt the other,

Some are good for one but don't impact the other.

Moray Eel will seek out cleaner shrimp to keep parasites off of them.

The cleaner shrimp eats the parasites out of the eel's mouth and eyes...

The eel gets a good cleaning.

The clown fish gets protection from the anemone.

This doesn't affect the anemone at all.

Mistletoe lives on trees

It sends its root like structures into the tree, sucking out water and nutrients from the tree to feed itself.

If the tree cant feed itself and the mistletoe it can suffer.

A relationship between two organisms living in close contact

Sym means together bio means life

mutualism

commensalism

parasitism

Mutualism is two species are in a symbiotic relationship that benefits both of the species.

The Moray and the cleaner shrimp both benefit from their relationship.

The cleanerfish gets food the Moray gets cleaned.

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits, but the other is neither harmed nor benefits from the relationship.

The clownfish is protected by the anemone, the anemone's situation does not seem to be changed.

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and another is harmed.

Mosquitos, for instance use the blood of mammels to help in reproducing.

Thei bites can spread disease and cause uncomfortable sores on their hosts.