Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead
Population Interactions is the interaction of populations of two distinct species, that interspecific interactions arise. These interspecific interactions can either be beneficial or detrimental (neutral) to one of the species or both. In the rest of the article, we will take a look at the types of interspecies interactions in an ecological community.
| Table of Content |
Keyterms: Population, Living organisms, Environment, Population interaction, Mutualism
Read More: What is Jaundice
Definition
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Do you think you are alone in this world? The answer will surely be NO. None of the organisms in this world can survive alone. In this nature, all organisms with their populations interact with each other. In this way an ecosystem works perfectly. This population interaction is generally between two different species populations.“Population interaction is the interaction between different populations. It refers to the effects that the organisms in a community have on one another.”
Also Read:
| Related Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ecology and Environment | Organisms and Populations | Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 |
| Population | Mutualism | Predation |
| Parasitism | Commensalism | Homeostasis |
Ecosystem
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
An ecosystem is a geographic area wherein plants, animals, and many other organisms, alongwith weather and landscape, work together to form a bubble of life.
- Population interactions are the effects that organisms in a community have on one another.
- An organism's interaction with its environment is elemental to the survival of that organism and the functioning of the ecosystem.
- Populations do not exist alone in nature, the way organisms interact with each other is important for the survival of species.
- There are two types of interaction, intraspecific interactions and interspecific interactions.
Intraspecific interactions are those that occur among organisms of the same species.
Interspecific interactions are those which take place among individuals of different species.
Read More: Neuron
Types of Population Interactions
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Interactions can be beneficial or neutral or detrimental. Accordingly, there are six types of population interaction.
The different ways populations interact with each other can be summarized under the following headings.
- Competition
- Predation
- Herbivory
- Mutualism
- Commensalism
- Parasitism
-
Competition
In interspecific competition, members of two distinct organisms have to depend on the same limited resource which is why they compete for it. Competition negatively harms both participants (-/-interaction), as either species would have higher survival and reproduction in the absence of the other.
Species compete while they have overlapping niches meaning, overlapping ecological requirements for survival and reproduction. Competition can be reduced if two species with overlapping niches evolve by natural selection in order to utilize less similar resources that results in resource partitioning.
-
Predation
In predation, a member of one organism i.e, the predator eats part or everything of the living, or currently living, body of another organism i.e, the prey. This interaction is advantageous for the predator, but on the other hand, is harmful for the prey (+/- interaction). Predation may include two animal species, again it can also involve an animal or an insect consuming part of a plant, a special case of predation is called herbivory.
Predators and prey modulate the population dynamics of one another. Also, there are some species in predator-prey relationships that have developed adaptations like beneficial features that emerge by natural selection, and are related to their interaction. On the prey end, these incorporate mechanical, chemical, and behavioral defenses. Some species also possess warning coloration which alerts potential predators to their defenses; other harmless species can mimic this warning coloration.
Read More: What is Endocrine Glands
-
Herbivory
Herbivory is the devouring of the parts of plants by animals, and herbivores are the animals that are adapted to eat plants. Just like in predator-prey interactions, this interaction operates adaptations in both the herbivore and the plant species it eats.
Say for example, in order to reduce the damage made by herbivores, plants have adapted defenses, including thorns and chemicals.
Some insects, like butterflies, have chemical sensors on their feet with the help of which they can taste the plant before they consume any part of it.
-
Mutualism
In a mutualism, two species possess a long-term interaction with each other that is beneficial to both of them (+/+ interaction). For instance, there are certain types of fungi that create mutualistic associations with plant roots. With the presence of this fungi, the plant can photosynthesize and provide the fungus with fixed carbon through sugars and other organic molecules. The fungus has a network of threadlike structures known as hyphae, which helps it to absorb the water and nutrients from the soil and provide them to the plant.
Mutualism
-
Commensalism
In a commensalism, two organisms possess a long-term interaction where one is benefited and there is no positive or negative effect on the other (+/0 interaction). For instance, many bacteria out there that inhabit our bodies can have a commensal relationship with us. They are benefitted by getting shelter and nutrients. However, they have no obvious helpful or harmful effect on us.
It must be noted that there are many apparent commensalisms that actually can be slightly mutualistic or slightly parasitic (harmful to one party, see below) if we can look at them more closely.
Commensalism
-
Parasitism
In parasitism, two species share a close, lasting interaction which is beneficial to one, i.e, the parasite but harmful to the other, the host (+/- interaction).
Some parasites are responsible for causing familiar human diseases. For instance, if there is a presence of tapeworm in your intestine, you will be the host and the tapeworm is the parasite. Your presence will nurture the tapeworm's quality of life, but not vice versa.
Parasitism
Summary of the specific interactions
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
| Name | Description | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Organisms of two species depend on the same limited resource and have a negative effect on each other. | - / - |
| Predation | A member of one species, predator, eats all or part of the body of another species, prey. | + / - |
| Herbivory | A special case in predation where the prey species is a plant. | + /- |
| Mutualism | A long-term, close interaction between two species in which both partners are benefited. | + / + |
| Commensalism | A long-term, close interaction between two species where one benefits and the other is unaffected. | + / 0 |
| Parasitism | A long-term, close association between two species where one is benefited and the other is harmed. | + / - |
Read More: Homeostasis
Sample Questions
Ques: What is the interaction between two species called? (1 mark)
Ans: The interaction between two species is called Interspecies interaction.
Ques: Define commensalism? (1 mark)
Ans: In a commensalism, two organisms possess a long-term interaction where one is benefited and there is no positive or negative effect on the other (+/0 interaction).
Ques: Mention the relationship where a species generates poisonous particles to harm other species. (1 mark)
Ans: Parasitism.
Ques: Define Mycorrhiza? (1 mark)
Ans: Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between the root of higher plants and a fungus which is nurtured from its symbiont. This in turn assists in the absorption process of higher plants.
Ques: Define homeostasis? (1 mark)
Ans: The process of maintaining a constant internal temperaturedespite ever changing external environmental state is called homeostasis.
Ques: What is aestivation? (1 mark)
Ans: In order to avoid excessive heat in the summer, some organisms switch to a behavioural adjustment which helps them to slow down their metabolic activities. It is called aestivation or the summer sleep.
Ques: Define diapause. Write about its significance? (1 mark)
Ans: Diapause is a phase of pendulous growth which is adopted by some entities in ponds and lakes to sustain and survive unfriendly conditions.
Ques: Why do plants in arid regions have sunken stomata? (1 mark)
Ans: The plants in arid regions have sunken stomata as sunken stomata minimize water loss by transpiration.
Ques: What are the different kinds of positive interactions that occur between different species. (1 mark)
Ans: Following are the three types of interspecific interactions:
Positive or beneficial interaction, negative interaction and neutral interaction
Ques: Explain the adaptations of the animal parasites while living in and on the host species with suitable Examples? (1 mark)
Ans: The adaptations are as follows:
The lack of unwanted sense organs as observed in mites, fleas and lice. (Absence of wings) They have suckers to stick onto the host as noticed in leeches and tapeworms. The absence of the digestive system as observed in tapeworm. Increased reproductive capacity. Example: Roundworms reproduces massive progeny.
For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
Do Check Out:
Comments