Concept in Definition ABC

The term symbiosis refers to a biological phenomenon and, in parallel, refers to collaboration between two people or entities, as well as the fusion of two creative tendencies in a new manifestation. As for its origin, it comes from the Latin word symbiosis which in turn comes from the Greek symbiosis and which means condition of joint life. The Greek prefix sym expresses the fusion of two entities and we can find it in words like symmetry or synapse. And biosis comes from bio which means life.

Symbiosis in biology

When two living beings are united for some purpose, it is because each of them obtains a benefit from this union. When this happens there is a symbiotic relationship, something very common in nature. This type of interaction between two living beings can occur in various ways, in the form of mutualism, commensalism or parasitism.

Mutualism

Mutualism occurs when two animals become "allies" of convenience, as with some toads and spiders, who coexist in harmony and without attacking each other because thanks to toads spiders get rid of

danger of some pests.

Commensalism

Commensalism is a biological interaction mechanism in which a living being gets a benefit but another living being does not get any benefit but is not harmed either. In other words, one wins but the other neither wins nor loses. A good example of commensalism is that which occurs between some scavengers and the prey of other animals. Thus, a scavenger bird benefits from a lion when it kills another animal, but the lion's relationship with the scavenger is indifferent.

Parasitism

Parasitism is a very specific type of association and consists of a living being (the parasite ) is totally dependent on another living being. This physiological dependence is intended to nurture the parasite. In parasitism, the parasite cannot survive in the absence of its host. The parasite and the host form a very widespread type of symbiosis in nature. As an example of parasitism we can remember the amoebas that live in the digestive system of some animals or the lice that need the hair of another animal to survive.

Symbiosis outside of biology

If two people collaborate closely, we can say that there is a symbiosis between them. The same happens with two entities u organisms that they provide some kind of mutual aid. In the world of art It is also possible to refer to symbiosis, since there is often a fusion of two different forms of artistic creation, something that usually occurs in the music, but also in the literature or the movie theater.

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