What is simbiosis?

Symbiosis is a biological relationship between two different species that have a close and long-term interaction with one another. This interaction can be beneficial for both species, or it can be one-sided. There are three types of symbiotic interactions: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit. For example, bees and flowers have mutualism because the bees collect nectar from the flowers and, while doing so, they pollinate the flowers, allowing them to produce seeds.

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits, and the other species is neither benefited nor harmed. For example, hermit crabs use empty snail shells as their homes. The hermit crab benefits from the snail shell, but the snail is not harmed nor benefited.

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits at the expense of the other. For example, ticks feed on the blood of their host, which can be a human or an animal -- harming them in the process -- to benefit the tick.

Symbiosis is essential for maintaining the balance of ecosystems. Without symbiosis, some species may become dominant, and populations could become unstable. Overall, symbiosis plays a crucial role in the survival of many species and ecosystems.