Module 4: Interactions Among Organisms

Objectives:

This module aims to introduce students the different types of relationships existing
between organisms in the ecosystem. To describe the role of the organisms in the existing
relationship.
The different organisms interact and show several types of relationships. Different
relationships exist among them within a community. One of these is a close, long term
relationship between two individuals of different species called symbiosis, which means “to live
together”. Symbiotic interactions can include forms of parasitism, commensalism, and
mutualism.
In parasitism one organism will serve as a host while its partner is known as parasite. The
parasite harms the host. For example ticks, lice, fleas stay in the hair, feather of another organism
and feed on blood.
Commensalism exists when an organisms living with another benefits from the
partnership. However, the other partner does not benefit and it is not harmed by its partner.
Commensalism is best shown by an orchid growing on the branch of a tree or a remora fish
attached to a shark.
Mutualism happens two organisms live together for mutual benefit. Both receive the
benefits. Example termites eat wood which the flagellates digest, making them useful in the
termite’s body cells, in return the termites bodies provide the warmth, food, and moisture that the
flagellates need to live.
Predator-prey relationship. A predator is an animal that captures other animals for food.
Prey refers to the animals that predators eat. For example the frog is the predator and the insects
are the frog’s prey.
Species can coexists in a community and share the resources available in the
environment. But when these resources are in limited supply, these organisms compete each
other in order to survive. This type of interaction is called competition. For example rice plants
and weeds growing in a field compete for nutrients present in the soil. Another example are
chicks fighting each other when feeds are limited.
 When these organisms die, the saprophytes or decomposers such as fungi and bacteria
break down the dead bodies of plants and animals.

Answer the following questions:

1. List down at least two examples of the different types of interactions:

a. Parasitism
b. Commensalism
c. Mutualism
d. Predation
e. Competition
2. Describe the following:
a. Host
b. Parasite
c. Commensal
d. Predator
e. Prey