What do parasitism, predation, and commensalism have in common? How are they different? (Site 1)
Parasitism, predation, and commensalism are all types of ecological relationships between different species. However, their main difference lies in the nature of the benefits and harms exchanged between them. In parasitism, one species (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host), often causing harm to the host. In predation, one species (the predator) benefits by killing and consuming the other (the prey). In commensalism, one species benefits from the other without causing harm or benefitting the other, although the other may also benefit. So, while all three involve a relationship between different species, the main difference is in the nature of the interaction and the effects on the participating species.
Parasitism, predation, and commensalism are all ecological relationships between species, but they differ in terms of benefit or harm to one species and the other. Here is a breakdown of their similarities and differences:
1. Similarity: All three interactions involve relationships between different species.
2. Parasitism: In parasitism, one species (the parasite) lives and feeds on or inside another species (the host). The parasite benefits from this relationship while the host is harmed or negatively affected.
3. Predation: In predation, one species (the predator) hunts, captures, and feeds on another species (the prey). The predator benefits from obtaining food, while the prey is harmed or killed.
4. Commensalism: In commensalism, one species benefits from the relationship, while the other species is unaffected. There is no harm or benefit to the second species.
Overall, the main difference between these interactions lies in the degree of benefit or harm to each species involved. In parasitism, one species benefits while the other is harmed. In predation, one species benefits while the other is killed or harmed. In commensalism, one species benefits while the other is neither benefited nor harmed.