Living together
Mutualism, commensalism, parasitism.
Three pairs
Honeybees visit flowers. Orchids grow on trees. Ticks sit on dogs.
Are all three pairs the same kind of relationship?
What this lesson covers
The idea
In mutualism both organisms benefit; in commensalism one benefits while the other is unaffected; in parasitism one benefits while the other is harmed.
Three pairs
Honeybees visit flowers. Orchids grow on trees. Ticks sit on dogs.
Are all three pairs the same kind of relationship?
- No, each relationship is different
- Yes, everyone benefits equally
- Yes, everyone is harmed
Sort the relationships
Tap the bin where each belongs.
Who gains
In mutualism both organisms benefit. In commensalism one benefits and the other is not affected. In parasitism one benefits and the other is harmed.
Mutualism: both benefit. Commensalism: one benefits, the other is not affected. Parasitism: one benefits, the other is harmed.
- Relationship | Effect | Example
- Mutualism | Both benefit | Honeybees and flowers
- Commensalism | One benefits, other unaffected | Orchids on trees
- Parasitism | One benefits, other harmed | Ticks on dogs
Notes
Mutualism both gain; commensalism one gains, other unaffected; parasitism one gains, other harmed.
Check yourself
In mutualism …
Orchids growing on trees is an example of …
Ticks on the body of dogs is an example of …
In commensalism, the other organism is …
- one is harmed. That is parasitism.
- neither benefits. In mutualism both benefit.
- both organisms benefit — correct. Yes!
- commensalism — correct. Yes!
- mutualism. The tree is not affected, so it is commensalism.
- parasitism. The tree is not harmed.
- mutualism. The dog is harmed, so it is parasitism.
- parasitism — correct. Yes!
- commensalism. The dog is harmed, not unaffected.
- harmed. That is parasitism.
- helped as well. That is mutualism.
- not affected — correct. Yes!