THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERACTION BETWEEN LIVING ORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Mc : Assalamualaikum and a very good to everyone. So today well discuss about one of the Science Form 2 syllabus namely The Importance of Interaction Between Living Organisms and the Environment. Well discuss this topic with Aina. So, in your opinion, what is the Importance of Interaction Between Living Organisms and the Environment? Aina : Okay, assalamualaikum and a very good too. In my opinion, organisms interact with each other in many different ways. There are three major kinds of interaction namely competition,symbiosis and prey-predator. Mc : So, can you explain it further? Aina : Oh! Of course. Firstly, Ill tell you about competition. So, what comes to mind when you think about competition? Not only people compete, well other organisms experience competition as well. Organisms compete with each other to get food,space,water,light,mate and also minerals. Mc : Can I ask you something? Aina : Oh! Sure. Mc : Is the competition occurs with same or different species? Aina : Wow! Such a great question. Competition for resources in an area is usually more intense within a single species than between two different species. Mc : Alright, now you can continue with your explanation. Aina: Next, symbiosis is the close relationship between two species that benefits only one of the species. There are three types of symbiosis namely mutualism,commensalism and parasitism. Mutualism is a relationship where both species benefit. Mc: How are each of the organisms benefiting?

Aina : For example, lichen consist fungi and algae living together. The algae produce food and the fungi provide shelter. Next, commensalism is a relationship in which one organisms benefits and the other species is neither helped or harmed. Mc : What are the two organisms involved? Who is benefiting and who is not helped or harmed? Aina: Okay, for example, remora fish(the commensal) is often found attached under a shark. It feeds on the scraps of food left by the shark without harming the shark. Did you understand now? Mc : Oh! Yes, you can continue now. Aina: Lastly, parasitism isa relationship where one organisms,the parasite, benefits at the expense or harming of the other,the host. Some common parasites are fleas,leeches,ticks and tapeworm. Tapeworm is a parasite that lives in human intestines. Tapeworm obtains food and shelter from humans. Mc : May I ask you something? Whatll happen to the humans? Aina: Humans are harmed by losing nutrients to the parasite. The host lose weight and become weak. Does it clear? Mc: Yes. There is one final question I want to ask. Is it important to have the interaction between living organisms? Aina: Yes, its very important in order to maintain the size of populations ia an ecosystem and hence maintain a balanced ecosystem. In an ecosystem, when a population of the same species will compete with each other for their basic needs. Some will die and this reduces the size of the population. Therefore, interaction between organisms is a natural way to control the size of a population and to maintain balance in an ecosystem. Mc : I think thats all from Aina. Wow! We have got a lot of knowledge about The Importance of Interaction between Living Organisms and the Environment with Aina , is it right students? Now, we know that interaction between organisms is important to maintain the size of the population in an ecosystem. I would like to thanked Aina for able to spend the time with us. Thank you very much. Aina: Its okay. Its nothing. I also would like to thank you all for sharing with me. Thank you.