symbiosis
Two species coexisting
Two organisms live in symbiosis when one supplies an essential element to the other, or each supplies an essential element to the other.
The organism we call lichens, for example, is actually a fungus and an alga living in symbiosis.
People use symbiosis more generally to talk about any relationship in which two things contribute to each other in a way that fosters dependency.
The related adjective is symbiotic.
Fungal-root mutualistic associations
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
- pollinationFlower reproductive transfer
- coevolutionReciprocal adaptation between interacting species
- obligateCommit by necessity
facultative · oxpecker · mitochondria · chloroplast · reciprocal · interspecies
Mutual exchange of actions
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
- interconnectionMutual joining of parts
- networkInterconnected system
reliance · integration · alliance · collaboration · co-dependency · interplay · bonding · partnership
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- nicheRecessed wall space
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- trophicRelating to feeding
abiotic · adaptation · coexistence · community · endemic · flora · fauna · succession
Fish with dorsal suckers
- sharksLarge predatory fish
- barnaclesShell-armored marine clingers
- whalesMassive marine mammals
- epiphytesPlants growing on others
orchids · pilotfish · pseudoscorpions · host · beneficiary · commensal · hitchhiker · attachment
Bioluminescent deep-sea predator
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
- luminescentEmitting soft light
- dinoflagellateDual-flagellated marine microorganism
One receiving guests
- parasiteOne exploiting a host
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
- tickParasitic eight-legged pest
- tapewormSegmented intestinal parasite
leech · mistletoe · cuckoo · exploitation · infestation · vector · parasitoid · hookworm
Microscopic living entity
- bacteriumSingle-celled prokaryotic life
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- protozoaSingle-celled eukaryotic organisms
- prokaryoteCell without nuclear membrane
eukaryote · cyanobacteria · spirochete · archaea · fermentation · decomposer
mycorrhizae
Fungal-root mutualistic associations
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
- pollinationFlower reproductive transfer
- coevolutionReciprocal adaptation between interacting species
obligate · facultative · oxpecker · mitochondria · chloroplast · reciprocal · interspecies
reciprocity
Mutual exchange of actions
- cooperationJoint action toward shared aims
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
- interconnectionMutual joining of parts
network · reliance · integration · alliance · collaboration · co-dependency · interplay · bonding · partnership · entanglement
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- nicheRecessed wall space
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- biodiversityRange of life forms
trophic · abiotic · adaptation · coexistence · community · endemic · flora · fauna · succession · conservation
remoras
Fish with dorsal suckers
epiphytes · orchids · pilotfish · pseudoscorpions · host · beneficiary · commensal · hitchhiker · attachment · bromeliads
anglerfish
Bioluminescent deep-sea predator
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
- luminescentEmitting soft light
host
One receiving guests
tapeworm · leech · mistletoe · cuckoo · exploitation · infestation · vector · parasitoid · hookworm · malaria
microorganism
Microscopic living entity
- bacteriumSingle-celled prokaryotic life
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- protozoaSingle-celled eukaryotic organisms
prokaryote · eukaryote · cyanobacteria · spirochete · archaea · fermentation · decomposer
- coevolutioncoevolution, arms race, Red Queen hypothesis, cospeciation, predator-prey
- reef sciencecoral bleaching, reef conservation, polyps, barrier reef, atoll
- soil biologysoil bacteria, soil fungi, soil organisms, decomposers, mycorrhizae
- connectionslink, links, connect, connection, tie
- biology termscell, DNA, genetics, genetic, evolution
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
symbiosisparasitism
One benefits, one suffers
predation · competition · antagonism · exploitation · pathogenesis
symbiosisantagonism
Active opposition or hostility
conflict · disharmony · discord · hostility · warfare
symbiosisisolation
Complete separation from others
independence · separation · autonomy · self-sufficiency · disconnection
- industrial symbiosisBusinesses exchanging waste as resources