A close, long-term biological relationship between two different species, which biologists classify by whether each partner benefits, is unaffected or is harmed: mutualism benefits both, commensalism benefits one while leaving the other unaffected, and parasitism benefits one at the other's expense. The reef-building corals of the Great Barrier Reef depend on an obligate mutualism with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae that live inside coral tissue, supplying the coral with the products of photosynthesis in exchange for shelter and access to sunlight; the algae also give the coral its color, so when heat stress causes a coral to expel its algae, a process called bleaching, the coral turns white and, if the algae do not return in time, starves.
Facts
PeriodicityOngoing and typically long term for the life of the organisms involved, rather than a one time or seasonal event. 1 ScaleOrganismal, between two interacting species, though a single symbiosis can structure an entire ecosystem, as coral and algae symbiosis does for reef systems. 1 First DescribedHeinrich Anton de Bary coined the term symbiosis in 1879 to describe the living together of dissimilar organisms, choosing a neutral word deliberately broad enough to cover mutualism, commensalism and parasitism alike. 1 Connections
Associated With
Source Bioluminescence (Wikipedia)
Source Symbiosis (Wikipedia)
Source Nitrogen Cycle (Wikipedia)
Source Symbiosis (Wikipedia)
Source Pollination (Wikipedia)
Demonstrated By
Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source World Wildlife Fund
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source World Wildlife Fund
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Sources
1. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Symbiosis (Wikipedia)
Lead section
Symbiosis (pl.: symbioses) is any close and long-term biological interaction between two organisms of different species.
Definition section, Heinrich Anton de Bary
In 1879, Heinrich Anton de Bary defined symbiosis as "the living together of unlike organisms".
Coral and zooxanthellae passage
Coral reefs result from mutualism between coral organisms and various algae living inside them.
Symbiogenesis section, organelle evidence sentence
Evidence for this includes the fact that mitochondria and chloroplasts divide independently of the cell, and that these organelles have their own genome.
Nitrogen fixation in legumes section, rhizobia sentence
Rhizobia infect the legume's roots and produce nodules where they fix nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere, turning it into a more readily useful form of nitrogen.
Associated With: Natural Selection, Role in evolution section
Symbiosis is increasingly recognized as an important selective force behind evolution.
Associated With: Photosynthesis, Obligate versus facultative section, photosymbiosis sentence
When one of the participants in a symbiotic relationship is capable of photosynthesis, as with lichens, it is called photosymbiosis.
View the SourceCoral Bleaching (NOAA Ocean Service)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationOpening paragraph, first sentenceQuote, Opening paragraph, first sentence
they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white.
What is symbiosis? (NOAA Ocean Exploration)
Opening paragraph, first sentenceQuote, Opening paragraph, first sentence
Symbiosis is the interaction between two dissimilar organisms living in close physical association.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration- Demonstrated By: Great Barrier Reef
- Demonstrated By: Coral Reef Systems
View the Source World Wildlife Fund
World Wildlife Fund- Demonstrated By: Coral Triangle
- Demonstrated By: Mesoamerican Reef
View the Source Nitrogen Cycle (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Nitrogen Cycle, Nitrogen fixation section, root nodule symbiosis sentenceQuote, Associated With: Nitrogen Cycle, Nitrogen fixation section, root nodule symbiosis sentence
Symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium usually live in the root nodules of legumes (such as peas, alfalfa, and locust trees).
Bioluminescence (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Bioluminescence, Bacterial symbioses section, first paragraphQuote, Associated With: Bioluminescence, Bacterial symbioses section, first paragraph
Although many luminous bacteria in the marine environment are free-living, a majority are found in symbiotic relationships that involve fish, squids, crustaceans etc. as hosts.
Pollination (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Pollination, Coevolution section, bees paragraphQuote, Associated With: Pollination, Coevolution section, bees paragraph
Bees provide a good example of the mutualism that exists between hymenopterans and angiosperms.
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