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Symbiotic interactions
Symbiosis is the relationship between two
or more species that live together. There
are many different types of symbiosis such
as commensalism, mutualism and
parasitism.
Commensalism is the interaction between
two species where one organisms benefits
from the interaction and the other
organisms is unaffected. An example of
commensalism is the relationship seen
between barnacles and humpback whales.
During the barnacles free-swimming
The West Australian
larvae stage they attach themselves to the
whale’s skin. This does not affect the
whale in any way. The barnacles however
benefit greatly from this interaction.
Barnacles are filter feeders that eat
plankton. When the whales swim into
plankton-rich waters to feed, so do the
barnacles. Protection from predators is
another benefit that barnacles receive from
this interaction. Barnacles attached to
objects that can’t move, such as rocks,
often fall prey to fish, sea worms, starfish
and snails. Barnacles that are attached to
whales are constantly moving with the
whale and therefore protected from
predators.
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Mutualism is the interaction between two An example of a parasitic relationship can

species where both organism benefit from
the interaction. An example of mutualism
is the relationship seen between oxpeckers
and rhinos. Oxpeckers benefit from this
relationship by feeding on ticks and other
parasites on the rhinoceros’s body. Hence,
oxpeckers are getting an easy meal. The
rhinoceroses on the other hand benefit
also as they are being cleaned of parasites
that could potentially make them sick.
Parasitism is the interaction between two
species where one organism benefits from
the interaction and the other is harmed.
be seen between a tapeworm and humans.
Humans can get tapeworms when they
contact infected animal faeces or
contaminated water and food. Tapeworms
live in the gut of a human and feed on the
contents that humans eat. Hence, they get
an easy meal. Humans who are infected
with tapeworm can suffer from vomiting,
diarrhea, convulsions, and malnutrition.
Therefore, humans are harmed by
tapeworms. Thankfully, medical
treatments are available to remove
tapeworms in humans.

Question
1. What is symbiosis?
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2. What is commensalism?
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3. Justify how the interaction between whales and barnacles is an example of

commensalism.
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4. Define mutualism
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5. Explain how rhinoceroses benefit from their relationship with oxpeckers

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6. What is parasitism
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7. Justify how the interaction between humans and tapeworms is parasitic

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8. Identify whether the below organisms are being benefited, harmed or unaffected in
the following relationships.

 Oxpecker and Rhinos

-Oxpecker: ________________________
-Rhino: ___________________________

 Tapeworm and humans

-Tapeworm: ________________________
-Humans: ___________________________
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 Barnacle and whale

-Barnacle: _________________________
-Whale: ___________________________