Introduction
Symbiosis is the interaction two or more different organisms that generally live in close physical relationship. More often, these organisms are living for both of their advantages. Part of the normal lives of these organisms naturally depends to one another. On the other hand, other interaction between the biotic components of our ecosystem is the antibiosis. This interaction is an antagonistic relationship between two or more organisms in which commonly happens to microorganisms. In tis relationship, only one may be adversely affected. Also, the ecosystem’s biotic components interactions are normally controlled by various biotic and abiotic factors, which act either alone or in combination.
Symbiotic Relationship in the Ecosystem
One good example of symbiotic relationship between two organisms is human and the bacteria (necsi.edu). In this relationship, the bacteria lives inside the human’s body in which and feeds on a certain internal organ, human intestine could be an example. Since the human intestine is not capable of digesting the entire food intake, the bacteria will eat some of the food in the intestine and will partially digest it. The process will allow the human intestine to finish its job. This relationship provides benefits to both human and the bacteria, as the bacteria gets to eat its food and the human will be able to entirely digest the food that he eats. Each organism has its own role in completing the process, which both benefit from their symbiotic and mutualistic relationships. In this relationship, the human may not be completely aware that the bacteria inside his intestines are helping him digest some of the foods he ate, which benefits him to have a better digestion. He may be unaware that he provided benefits to these bacteria because, as they both share the same food inside the human’s body.
Another type of biotic relationship is the parasitism. With this relationship, one organism benefits, while the other organism is the one being directly affected (seaslugforum.net). The organism that is adversely affected may be weakened, damaged, or sickened. One good example of this relationship is the predator and prey relationship, where only one gets to be benefited from the other. Also, an herbivore and plant relationship could be another example. Generally, parasites are organisms that cannot survive without the presence of their hosts.
On the other hand another form of relationship in the ecology is the commensalism relationship. This is when only one organism benefits from the other, while it provides neutral effect on to the other (eoearth.org). Meaning, the second organism is not being harmed nor benefited from then other. Good examples of this relationship are the remoras in which they eat the leftover foods of the whales. They even get to swim along with the whale to protect themselves from the other predators. In this relationship, the whale has neither benefit nor harm from the remoras’ way of living.
Conclusion
In our ecosystem, different organism, species, and even human interact to each other through different forms of relationships. It was clear that these relationships may give harm to the organism or even provide benefits to the other. Generally, different organisms have their own ways how to live their normal lives in the ecosystem using their natural instinct or the nature’s way to keep the circle of life revolving. However, the symbiotic relationship could be the most beneficial link between organisms, as both organisms gain from each other’s presence.
Works Cited
Australian Museum. "The Sea Slug Forum - Symbiosis, commensalism, mutualism and parasitism." The Sea Slug Forum. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2014.
Friedl, Sarah. "Symbiotic Relationship: Definition, Examples & Quiz." Education Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2014.
Hogan, Micheal. "Commensalism." Encyclopedia of Earth. N.p., 19 June 2012. Web. 25 June 2014.
NECSI. "Evolution." New England Complex Systems Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2014.
