SURFING A Local Ecosystem

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Biotic Relationships
1. Define mutualism.
Mutualism is a relationship between two species in which both partners benefit.
2. Describe one example of mutualism.
Lichens are somewhat like a sandwich, with the fungi layers on the outside and the algae in the
middle. The algae photosynthesise, providing organic materials for the heterotrophic fungi, and
the fungi provides a moist environment for the algae as well as anchoring the lichen in its
location.
3. Define parasitism, parasite and host.
Parasitism is a relationship between two species in which one species, the parasite, benefits and
the other species, the host, is harmed.
4. Describe one example of parasitism.
The human tapeworm, Taenia solium, is a parasite infesting the intestinal tract of humans. The
tapeworm feeds on the food digested by the human and the human suffers malnutrition and loss
of weight and in severe cases may have intestinal blockage and abdominal pain.
5. Define commensalism, commensal and host.
Commensalism is a relationship between two species in which one, the commensal, benefits
while the other, the host, is neither harmed or received any benefit.
6. Describe one example of commensalism.
Remora fish attach to sharks with a sucker. They are in protected location and catch food scraps
from the shark. The shark seems to get little from this relationship.
7. Define allelopathy.
Allelopathy is the release of chemical substances by one species to inhibit growth of another.

8. Describe one example of allelopathy.

Penicillin mould produces a chemical that prevents the growth of bacteria. Humans use this
chemical to make antibiotics.