Question

Describe and give examples of types of interactions between organisms in an ecosystem. (3-4 types) Do any of these interactions involve the flow of energy?

Answer 1

Interactions between organisms in an ecosystem include predation, competition, and symbiotic relationships (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism), many of which involve the flow of energy between organisms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Interactions Between Organisms in an Ecosystem

Organisms within an ecosystem interact in various ways, and these interactions can involve the flow of energy. Here are three types of interactions:

• Predation: This occurs when one organism (the predator) eats another (the prey). An example of predation is a lion hunting and eating a gazelle. In this interaction, energy is transferred from the prey to the predator.
• Competition: Different species may compete for the same resource, such as two bird species competing for nesting space. No energy transfer is involved, but competition can influence the distribution of energy within an ecosystem because it affects which organisms survive and reproduce.
• Symbiotic relationships: These are close, long-term interactions between species. Within symbiosis, we have three main types:

1. Mutualism: Both species benefit, such as bees pollinating flowers while collecting nectar for food.
2. Commensalism: One species benefits while the other is neither harmed nor helped, like barnacles attaching to whales.
3. Parasitism: One organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host), such as a tapeworm in a human's intestine.