What Is a Symbiote?

A symbiote is an organism that relies on another organism for benefits and/or survival. This partnership is usually a close ecological relationship, with one or both organisms providing food, protection or transportation. There are several types of symbiotic relationships.

Mutualism

In a mutually symbiotic relationship, both organisms benefit from the partnership. For example, certain ants that live in an acacia plant make a home in and receive sugar from the plant. The acacia plant benefits from the protection of the ants.

Commensalism

Commensalism relationships are partnerships in which one organism benefits while the other is unaffected. A shark and a remora form a commensal relationship; the remora feeds off the scraps of the shark's prey, but the shark receives no benefit in return.

Parasitism

In parasitic symbiotic relationships, one organism benefits but the other is harmed. Hookworms are parasitic symbiotes; they consume the tissue of the host, causing harm but providing no benefit.

References

• N.C. State University: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: Symbiotic Relationships
• Kimball's Biology Pages: Symbiosis
• The Light-Allen HomePage: Symbiosis

Resources

• Clemson University; "The Good and the Bad: Symbiotic Organisms from Selected Hosts"