Final answer:
Symbiosis represents a close, long-term interaction between different species. There are three types of symbiosis: mutualism, where both species benefit; commensalism, where one species benefits and the other is not significantly affected; and parasitism, where one benefits at the expense of the other.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis specifically means a close, long-term association between two organisms of different species where at least one of them benefits. There are three major types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Mutualism
In a mutualistic relationship, both species benefit from the interaction. However, the benefit gained by each individual is not always equal. A good example of mutualism is the relationship between bees and flowering plants. Bees get nectar, which they use as food, while plants get their pollen spread, which is essential for plant reproduction.
Commensalism
Commensalism involves a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits while the other species is not significantly affected. An example is the relationship between cattle egrets and grazing mammals; the egret benefits by catching insects that are stirred up when mammals move through the grass, while the mammals are not significantly affected.
Parasitism
In a parasitic relationship, one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. Examples of parasites are tapeworms and fleas. These organisms live on or in their host and cause harm while benefiting themselves.
The clownfish and the sea anemone have what is considered to be a mutualistic relationship. The clownfish is protected by the anemone's stinging tentacles, which deter predators, while the clownfish promotes water circulation to the anemone, providing it with better oxygenation. The protective mucus of the clownfish may either be innate or developed through gradual acclimation to the anemone's stings.