Symbiotic Relationship

[Jitendra Hydonus]

Many times in life we find ourselves in symbiotic relationship of sorts. There are  mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic symbiosis between individuals and other creatures and plants.

Symbiotic relationships are the close interactions of two different organisms. There are three main types of symbiotic relationships:

Mutualism: Both organisms benefit from the relationship. For example, bees and flowers.
Commensalism: One organism benefits and the other is unaffected. For example, barnacles on whales.
Parasitism: One organism benefits and the other is harmed. For example, tapeworms in humans.

Sometimes it is difficult to determine what is ‘harmful’ and what is ‘beneficial’ since most relationships are based on some mutual benefit, whether it is known or not and whether it is helpful in the long term or not.