Grade 6-8

1. Symbiosis

2. What is symbiosis?
L
iteral definition:
“ the act of living together”
What it means:
•Two organisms that live
together
•Temporarily or for a longer time
•At least one of the organisms
benefits from the relationship

3. What are the different kinds
of symbiosis?
M
utualism
both organisms
benefit
Commensalism
one organism
benefits
one organism
is
unaffected
Parasitism
one organism
benefits
(parasite)
one
organism is
harmed
(host)

4. E
xample 1:
Acacia plant with ants
Ants protect
plant from
herbivores and
kill any plants
that start to grow
near the Acacia
Acacia makes
nectar for the
ants to eat.
Mutualism: both benefit

5. E
xample 2:
Moray Eel with
Cleaner Fish
Moray Eel gets a
clean mouth
Cleaner Fish gets a
meal
Mutualism: both
benefit

6. E
xample 3:
Cattle with cattle egrets
Cattle stir
up insects as
they eat
grass
Egrets hang
around and
eat insects
Commensalism: one benefits, one is
unaffected

7. E
xample 4:
Clown fish with anemone
Clown fish gets
protection
Anemone is
probably
unaffected
Commensalism: one benefits, one is
unaffected

8. E
xample 5:
Antelope with Oxbird
Antelope
gets rid of
it’ s
parasites
Oxbird
gets a
meal
Mutualism: both benefit

9. E
xample 6:
Taenia worm in human eye
Worm
infects
human
blood
stream
Human
may go
blind Parasitism: one benefits, one is
harmed

11. Some cool video-clips on
symbiosis:
1. Ant and Butterfly Symbiosis
2. Benefits of living together
3. Under the sea
4. The symbiotic rhino song

12. Name that Symbiosis:
What kind of symbiosis is this?
P
arasitism: one benefits, one is harmed

13. Name that Symbiosis:
What kind of symbiosis is this?
Mutualism: both benefit

14. Name that Symbiosis:
What kind of symbiosis is this?
M
utualism: both benefit