Symbiotic relationship is defined as a relationship between two organisms in which the organisms benefit from one another. This relationship could be between a plant and another plant , between a plant and an animal and between animals. Some of the examples are given below.
No Fungus, No Tree ( Symbiotic relationship between plants and Fungus)
Plants and fungi occupy completely different categories in taxonomy. Yet their lives are so utterly entwined that about 90 percent of all the plants in the world have their own fungal “partners” that allow them to survive. The fungus in question is “ mycorrhizal”. Many mycorrhizal varieties live in close association with trees and other plants, drawing in nutrients from deep underground and providing them to the tree in exchange for a share of the energy (in the form of sugars) produced by the tree’s photosynthesis. The mushrooms and toadstools (An inedible or poisonous fungus with an umbrella-shaped fruiting body) often seen around the bases of trees are actually the reproductive organs of vast subterranean fungal networks that plants tap into in order to gain nutrients more efficiently.
Plovers and Crocodiles ( Symbiotic relationship between animals)
It looks like something out of a storybook – and in fact it can be traced back to accounts told thousands of years ago – a crocodile opens its mouth, invites a bird in before … what? ::Chomp:: it swallows the sap alive? Amazingly, the crocodile remains still while the plover picks meat from its mouth. This cleans the crocodile’s teeth and prevents infection while providing a somewhat scary meal for the hungry bird.
It looks like something out of a storybook – and in fact it can be traced back to accounts told thousands of years ago – a crocodile opens its mouth, invites a bird in before … what? ::Chomp:: it swallows the sap alive? Amazingly, the crocodile remains still while the plover picks meat from its mouth. This cleans the crocodile’s teeth and prevents infection while providing a somewhat scary meal for the hungry bird.
Anglerfish And Bacteria ( Animal and Bacteria)
Animals which produce light directly are known as producing Bio luminescence. Angler fishes are different. They do not produce the light with their own bodies like fire flies, rather they have a unique relationship with bacteria called symbiosis, and the bacteria actually produce the light for the angler-fish. This symbiotic relationship is called bio-luminescence.
This is how it works: Bacteria produce light -> Prey for the Anglerfish are attracted to this light -> Anglerfish feed -> Bacteria receives nourishment and shelter -> Repeat
Bugs, Bats, Birds and Flowers (Symbiotic relationship between plants and animals)
Many plants depend on animals to help them get pollen from the stamen of one plant to the ovum of another plant. These plants have evolved flowers that attract pollinators either by color or scent. In a symbiotic relationship, the flower contains nectar, a sweet, energy-rich material that gives the insect, bat or bird a nutritional benefit. When the animal moves on to the next flower for more nectar, it inadvertently carries pollen there, accomplishing the plant’s goal of pollination. Some animals have evolved very specialized features, such as shaped beaks or proboscises, to withdraw nectar efficiently. The flowers, in turn, may be specifically shaped to only allow a certain species of animal to get nectar from them. This allows the plant to monopolize that animal’s pollination efforts, since it won’t be flitting around to other species of plant.
Plant or Animal?
One of the strangest cases of symbiosis is that of the acoel flatworm, Convoluta roscoffensis. These tiny worms live along shorelines and look like masses of seaweed. The worms themselves are transparent, but within them live Platymonas algae, which contain chlorophyll and are capable of photosynthesis. They give the worms a green color.
The algae absorb sunlight through the worms’ clear skin and photosynthesize food -- enough foodthat the worms have no functioning digestive tract or even working mouths. The algae even recycle the worms’ waste products, and go through entire life cycles inside the worms’ bodies.
The algae absorb sunlight through the worms’ clear skin and photosynthesize food -- enough foodthat the worms have no functioning digestive tract or even working mouths. The algae even recycle the worms’ waste products, and go through entire life cycles inside the worms’ bodies.
More symbiotic relationships - Please refer to
1. http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2009/03/01/symbiotic-bird-animal-relationships/
2. http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/evolution/symbiosis.htm
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