Page 34 - GK Class 07

29 Symbiotic Relationship

Symbiotic relationships are a special type of interaction between species. Sometimes
beneficial, sometimes harmful, these relationships are essential to many organisms and
ecosystems and they provide a balance that can only be achieved by working together.

Let us know about some organisms that enjoy a symbiotic relationship. They work
together to benefit each other.
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The dinoflagellates and the coral polyp share a
unique symbiotic relationship. Organic
materials in the water are transformed into
There are certain fish which are immune to the carbon dioxide and nitrogenous wastes by the
sting of the jellyfish. They take shelter among coral polyp. The dinoflagellates use this carbon
the jellyfish’s tentacles, thereby avoiding being dioxide and nitrogenous wastes during
eaten by other fishes. In return, the fish share photosynthesis to form oxygen and sugar,
their meal with the jellyfish. which are in turn used by both.

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Aphids are small, soft-bodied and defenseless
insects that feed on plant sap. Ants find the milk African oxpeckers feed on the backs of zebra,
of the plant sap from the body of the insects. In elephant’s, hippopotamus and other large
return, they protect the aphids from predators African animals. Once thought to be friendly
and parasites. Ants tend aphid colonies and tick eating helpers, they are actually vampire
move them around from plant to plant. birds, sucking blood out of open tick wounds.

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