Ask a Teacher

A symbiotic relationship is directly linked to symbiosis. Mainly, symbiosis is the interaction process between two or more biological species. The term was initiated in 1877 and it has been used ever since whenever two different species start a relationship.

Such types of relationships are quite different from each other and they’re spit into various categories: mutualism, parasitism and commensalism. Practically, species can interact with each other, help each other or fight for survival. The whole symbiosis process has been studied and examined by specialists over the years. The role of a symbiotic relationship might lead to co-evolution. Some flowers and insects for instance, interact because they need each other. Let’s consider bees and flowers; in order to stay alive and adapt they use each other’s parts. Nectar and pollen are critical elements that ensure the survival of these two different species.

A symbiotic relationship can be extremely different and it can manifest in other species as well. Parasitism for example, is one way of symbiosis from which only one individual wins and the other is severely damaged. Hence, they do not cooperate and it is compared with the battle of the fittest. Competition between species is again another category. This symbiotic relationship is mostly seen in birds of pray that are fighting to hunt the weakest animal.