Commensalism
Definition
Commensalism is a type of symbiotic relationship between two different species where one organism benefits while the other remains unaffected. The benefiting organism uses the presence of the other for resources like shelter or transportation without causing harm.
Analogy
Imagine you are walking down the street with a friend who is carrying an umbrella. Suddenly, it starts raining, and your friend offers to share their umbrella with you. You benefit from staying dry while your friend is not affected by your presence.
Related terms
Mutualism: Mutualism is another type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from each other's presence. An example is when bees pollinate flowers and receive nectar in return.
Parasitism: Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (host). Ticks on dogs are an example of parasitic interaction.
Symbiosis: Symbiosis refers to any close and long-term interaction between two different species. It can include mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism.
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