What is the difference between parasitism mutualism and commensalism

Mutualism is the interaction between two or more organisms where both organisms can benefit from the interaction. An example of mutualism is a Clownfish and a Sea Anemone. The clownfish benefits the sea anemone by consuming parasites that may be on it and providing nutrients from its excrements. Parasitism is the interaction between two species where only one benefits from the other organism and the other is harmed in return. So, to review, mutualism is where both organisms benefit, commensalism is where one benefits and the other is unaffected, and parasitism is where one benefits and the other is harmed.

Show Answer. Crows and other birds will get a free meal by eating insects and fleas off of the backs of cattle and cattle will get a free cleaning. Both the crows and the cattle benefit, so that makes this relationship mutual. Study Guides Flashcards Online Courses. Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism. Hi, and welcome to this video on mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism! Mutalism So if we take the two examples we just mentioned, the bees pollinating the flowers and the clownfish living in sea anemones, we have two classic examples of how organisms can mutually benefit from one another so that both organisms can thrive.

Commensalism Examples Another example of commensalism is one organism using another as a means of transportation.

The common types of mutualism are nutrition, defense, transport, and shelter. Examples of situations where mutualism is exhibited are bees and flowers, digestive bacteria and the human body, coral reef, and algae. Commensalism refers to a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits more while the other tends to be affected. An example is hermit crabs use the shells of dead snails for homes. An oxpecker stays on top of a zebra eating ticks and other parasites which can harm the zebra.

The oxpecker benefits from staying on top of the zebra since it gets food and the zebra has its parasites eaten. An example of parasitism is the ticks in dogs. They benefit from the dogs by getting their blood which is bad for the dogs. An example of commensalism is a spider building its web on a tree.

The spider benefits from the tree by building its web on it. The tree does not benefit nor harmed.