Science Common Sense
379 - How do symbiotic relationships benefit organisms?
Imagine you have a friend who helps you in some way, and you also help them. That's kind of like a symbiotic relationship in nature. There are three types:
- Mutualism: Both friends help each other. Like clownfish and sea anemones. Clownfish get protection, and anemones get cleaned.
- Commensalism: One friend helps, the other doesn't do much. Like remora fish and sharks. Remoras get food from shark leftovers, sharks don't care.
- Parasitism: One friend is helped, the other gets hurt. Like ticks and animals. Ticks feed on animal blood, animals get sick.
These relationships help organisms survive and thrive in their environments.