Chapter 2, Problem 12A

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

An example of a predator-prey relationship, a competitive relationship, and a symbiotic relationship in any nearby ecosystem.

Introduction:

In any biological community, organisms that live together constantly interact and affect the survival of each other.

These interactions, along with the abiotic factors, shape an ecosystem. Competitions, Predation, Symbiosis are examples of these interactions.

Explanation of Solution

Competition: This interaction occurs when more than one organism use resources such as food, water, light, and space. When resources are abundant, then competition is less fierce. But, when one or more resources are scarce, then the strong organism survives, and the weak organism dies or moves to other locations for survival.

Example: In a nearby park, eagle and catfight for the food such as a rat.

Predation: The act of one organism consuming another organism for food is predation. The organism which pursues another organism for food is called a predator and, the organism who is eaten by is called prey.

Example: In a nearby park, the eagle catches a mouse for food.

Symbiosis: In this interaction, two or more species live together for their survival. It is of three types: Mutualism, Commensalism, and Parasitism.

Example: On the bark of a tree, lichens the mutualistic association of algae and fungi are found.

Algae are autotrophic microorganisms and prepare their food, whereas fungi are not able to prepare their food. Algae need a proper shelter where they are protected from drying and intense sunlight.

Conclusion

Interaction among organisms is important for the survival of all organisms and in the absence of it, imbalance in the population of different species occurs which destabilizes the ecosystem.