Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead
Parasitism and symbiosis arе two different typеs of ecological rеlationships that organisms can havе with еach othеr.
- While both involve close intеractions bеtwееn different spеciеs
- Thеy diffеr in thе naturе of thе intеraction and the bеnеfits or harms еxpеriеncеd by thе organisms involved.
- Beyond the vast range of circumstances, symbiosis and parasitism show how important interactions are to partners' survival in all circumstances
- They frequently lead to the formation of novel characteristics for the systems thus formed.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Parasitism, symbiosis, host, nutrition, fungus, algae, environment, mutualism, commensalism.
What is parasitism?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
In a parasitic relationship, the parasite lives inside and on top of the host organisms and benefits at the expense of the host. Therefore, there occurs parasitism between a parasite and a host.
- The host is harmed by the parasite when it attacks the tissues of the host, which leads to sickness or host death.
- Semi- or partial-parasitism and complete parasitism are the two forms of parasitism.
- Semi-parasitism is a condition in which the parasite solely uses the host's haustoria to absorb water and minerals. Eg. Loranthus.
- The parasite acquires organic food and mineral nutrients from the host plant in complete parasitism. As a whole, Cuscuta is a parasite.
- Additionally, fully parasite plants are not photosynthetic, but semi-parasitic plants are green in colour and are.
Examples of Parasites
Few examples of parasites are as follows:
- Various species, such as fungus, leeches, lice, viruses, protozoa, tapeworms, etc., parasitize people.
- A select few organisms, like Helminthes, reside inside the host's gut and are responsible for a number of infectious disorders
- Bacteria and viruses are responsible for all illnesses.
- In insects, parasitism is quite prevalent. Larvae and juvenile insects are attacked by entomophagous parasites.
- Some insects lay their eggs within the bodies of other bug species' larvae.
- The young one consumes the larva after the eggs hatch and gets its nutrients from it.
Read More: Predation
What is Symbiosis?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The definition of symbiosis is a close, long-term relationship between two or more diverse biological organisms.
- This relationship might be symbiotic (mutually beneficial), in which case both parties profit from the contact
- Nature is full of symbiotic interactions, such as the mutualistic ones that exist between plants and animals.
Based on the relationship of mutual benefit between the organisms, there are several forms of symbiosis.
- Commensalism is a connection between two creatures in which only one of them benefits while the other remains unharmed. The symbiotic interaction is one-sided. For instance, the association between remora fish and huge fish.
- Mutualism is a tight partnership in which both species profit from the association. The finest example is the relationship between a dog and a human, in which the dog receives protection and company from the human while also receiving food and shelter.
- One species coexists with another in an endosymbiotic relationship. For instance, termites' internal protozoans aid in the digestion of wood.
- Ectosymbiosis is a sort of symbiosis in which one species coexists with another species on its surface.As an illustration, lice cause harm to the host by feeding on their skin, blood, or oil secretions.
- In Amensalism, the second population in this form of relationship is not significantly impacted when one group finds itself in danger.
- For example, the growth of plants that are tall and broad is hampered.
- Some plants go so far as to emit chemicals that suppress the development of neighbouring plants in an effort to eliminate competition.
Examples
Few examples of symbiosis are:
- The coexistence of specific ant species on acacia trees is an illustration of symbiosis.
- The acacia tree's hollow thorns are home to the ants, which guard the tree by fighting any animals that try to eat its leaves or bark.
- Leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria have mutualistic interactions that assist the plants thrive by supplying them with nitrogen.
- Most plants' roots create symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi, which aid in their ability to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
- The plants' roots are home to microorganisms that transform air nitrogen into nitrates, which the plants may utilise.
- The plants give the bacteria a place to reside as well as access to the carbohydrates produced during photosynthesis.
- Because it helps to replenish the soil with nitrogen, which is necessary for plant development, this symbiotic connection is significant.
Difference between Parasitism and Symbiosis
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The major differences are mentioned below:
| Parasitism | Symbiosis |
|---|---|
| A connection between two species known as parasitism occurs when one of the species benefits while the other suffers. | In symbiosis, two species live in close proximity to one another and often benefit from one another. |
| The parasite is the species that benefits, and the host is the species that suffers damage. | The word "symbiont" refers to both species. |
| Some parasites may entirely deprive their host of nutrition. | In symbiosis, one organism supplies nourishment while the other offers defence or other advantages. |
| Example: Helminths in their hosts' intestines, lice on human heads, and Puccinia on wheat that causes black rust disease. | Example: Lichens, mycorrhizae, aphids, and ants—where aphids feed ants honeydew and ants guard them from predators—are examples of these ecosystems. |
Read More: Mutualism
Things to Remember
- The interaction between distinct species in which one organism lives on or in the other organism and benefits by inflicting some harm is known as parasitism.
- Parasites can be categorised as either entire or partial parasites, facultative or obligatory parasites, stem parasites, or root parasites.
- Symbiosis occurs when mutually beneficial associations between plants and living organisms occur.
- These interactions, which are frequently advantageous to both parties, play a crucial role in the physiology and environmental adaptability of organisms.
- Symbiosis also produces a variety of additional useful qualities, such as certain defensive properties
- It depends on the induction of partner defences that are tolerable to the symbiont but destructive to pathogens.
- Parasitism is a long-lasting interaction between a parasite and a host, utilising resources to their detriment.
Also Read:
Sample Questions
Ques. What are the difference between symbiosis and parasitism. (5 marks)
Ans. A tight interaction between two species, in which at least one species gains, is referred to as symbiosis. A symbiotic connection in which both species profit is called mutualism. The organisms in a symbiotic connection gain from one another. No living thing is harmed. Algae and fungus, as examples.
- A parasitic relationship is one in which one species, the parasite, benefits while the other, the host, suffers.
- When one creature, the parasite, feeds on another, the host, hurting or even killing the host, the connection is said to be parasitic. The parasite resides within or on the host's body.
- Tapeworms, fleas, and barnacles are a few examples of parasites. Flatworms with segments called "tapeworms" adhere to the lining of the intestines of animals like cows,
Ques. What distinguishes parasitic nutrition from saprophytic nutrition? (1 mark)
Ans. An organism that survives by eating the remnants of dead and decomposing stuff is said to practise saprophytic nutrition. The parasite feeds on a living host in order to survive.
Ques. Define commensalism. (1 mark)
Ans. In commensalism, one entity benefits while the other neither suffers nor gains from the unbalanced sort of contact.
Ques. Give examples of parasitism. (3 marks)
Ans. Parasites in humans include fungi, leeches, lice, viruses, protozoa, and tapeworms. Insects, such as aphids, parasitize plants by consuming their sap, damaging fruits, vegetables, and grains. Fungus species damage crops, while parasitic plants have altered roots called haustoria that drain nutrients and water from the host's xylem. Bacteria and viruses are responsible for all illnesses.
Ques. Give examples of symbiosis. (3 marks)
Ans. Symbiosis is evident in the coexistence of ants on acacia trees, which provide nectar for ants to guard the tree from animals. Leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria thrive through mutualistic interactions, while roots form symbiotic associations with mycorrhizal fungi for water and nutrients absorption. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legume plants, like lucerne, soybeans, and clover, transform air nitrogen into nitrates, providing them with a habitat and access to carbohydrates during photosynthesis. This symbiotic connection is crucial for plant development.
Ques. Define mutualism. (2 marks)
Ans. Mutualism is a relationship where both species benefit from each other, often found in living organisms like humans, animals, birds, plants, and microorganisms. This type of symbiosis occurs within or between species, with mutualists being the small partners and the host being the other organisms. Mutualism can continue for longer or shorter-term periods.
Ques. What is an еxamplе of parasitism? (2 marks)
Ans. Onе example of parasitism is thе rеlationship bеtwееn ticks and mammals. Ticks attach themselves to thе skin of mammals and fееd on thеir blood, causing harm and discomfort to thе host.
Ques.Can parasitism bе bеnеficial for thе host in any way? (2 marks)
Ans. Gеnеrally, parasitism is harmful to thе host. Howеvеr, in somе casеs, thе impact of parasitism can vary. For instancе, cеrtain parasitеs may havе low virulеncе and causе minimal harm to thе host, allowing thе host to tolеratе thеir prеsеncе without significant negative effects.
Ques. What is an еxamplе of mutualism in symbiosis? (2 marks)
Ans. An example of mutualism in symbiosis is thе relationship bеtwееn bееs and flowering plants. Bееs obtain nеctar and pollеn from flowеrs, whilе thеy unintеntionally aid in thе pollination of thе plants, contributing to thеir rеproduction.
Ques. Can symbiotic relationships changе ovеr timе? (2 marks)
Ans. Yеs, symbiotic relationships can еvolvе and change ovеr timе. Thеy can be influenced by factors such as еnvironmеntal conditions, availability of rеsourcеs, and thе evolutionary adaptations of thе organisms involvеd. Symbiotic relationships can bеcomе morе specialised, mutually bеnеficial, or shift towards parasitism undеr cеrtain circumstancеs.
For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
Also Read:
Comments