Introduction

There are different species of organisms living on earth and every organism is dependent on each other for their livelihood. Food is essential for survival and all species depend on each other for food therefore, there is an interaction develops between the organisms. Nutrition from food not only provides energy to work but also the scope of nutrition is also huge. Symbiosis is the relationship when two species are in the same place for nutrition. It is a close relationship between two species where at least one of the two species benefits and species may have positive, negative, or neutral effects. There are five main types of symbiosis relationships. These are mutualism, commensalism, predation, parasitism, and competition. Among these, mutualisms vs parasitism, definition, and types are the topics of discussion in this lesson (1) & (4).

Mutualism

Mutualism refers to a symbiosis relationship where two organisms benefit from each other in the same environment. When two different types of species live in the same environment both species benefit from mutual interaction. The relationship that then develops between the two species is called mutualism and those two species are called symbiotic. In the case of mutualism, when a relationship is formed between the two species, both species mutually benefit. Such relationships are observed in almost all ecosystems (1) & (6).

Example

There are many mutualism relationships that can be observed in this world. This relationship can be organized between two plants, two animals, one plant and animal or one plant and bacteria, etc. Such as the coexistence of rhizobium (nitrogen-fixing bacteria) and legumes is a mutualism relationship. In this case, rhizobium bacteria live in the root nodules of legumes. Rhizobium absorbs nitrogen directly from the air and supplies the host plant in the form of ammonium. In return, these bacteria take shelter and nutrients from the legume plant.

Lichens are also an example of a kind of mutualism, consisting of fungi and algae. The fungi absorb water and minerals from the environment and provide the algae. The algae use the raw materials to make food in photosynthesis and supply some of that food to the fungi (1).

Type of mutualism

There are different types of mutualism that can be observed in nature. Each of these relationships is known by a different name. There are mainly five types of mutualism in nature (2) & (5).

1. Obligate mutualism

In this relationship, two different species are completely dependent on each other. Two different species cannot survive without each other. Here the relationship between the two species becomes obligatory.

2. Facultative mutualism

In this relationship, both species can coexist independently. Here a diffused relationship is used which involves a mixture of different species.

3. Trophic mutualism

In trophic mutualism, two different species of organisms accumulate nutrients from each other to grow and develop their bodies and both benefited.

4. Defensive mutualism

In this relationship, one species receives food and shelter from another species. And in return, that species protects this other species that provide food and shelter against predators or parasites.

5. Dispersive mutualism

In dispersive mutualism, one species receives food from another species. In return, one species helps in the transfer of pollen from the flowers of another species.

Parasitism

Parasitism is another symbiosis relationship. The word parasite comes from the Latin word parasitus, which means to eat another. The word parasitism comes from parasites. Different species in the world live through interactions. In biology, there is a relationship between symbiosis species where two different species have a parasite and a host (plant or animal). But between these two different species, one species benefits, and the other species harms. In parasitism, one species benefits and another species harms. The species that benefit is called a parasite. The species from which the parasite collects nutrients and benefits is called the host. The parasite harms the host but does not kill the host (2) & (4).

Example

There are some species in nature that collect nutrients from the host and harm the hos called parasites. Rafflesia, Viscum, Striga Asiatica, dodders, santalum, tapeworms, roundworms, etc. are the parasites. They get food from the body of another living host. Dodders collect food from the host’s body by building its own stem on the trunk of the host tree. It can also cause the death of the host plant. Worms also live in the human body. It absorbs nutrients from the human body and harms humans (1) & (4).

Type of parasitism

Parasitism is classified on the basis of the type of relationship between the parasite and the host, the persistence of the parasite, and the space-time. Types are as follows

1. Obligate parasitism

Obligate parasitism is a relationship where there are many parasites who cannot survive without the host.

2. Facultative parasitism

Facultative parasitism is the relationship between organisms that live normally independently but suddenly become parasitic when they are placed inside or outside the body of a useful host.

3. Ectoparasitism

Organisms that live on the outside of the host body are called ectoparasites. The relationship between this parasite and the host is called Ectoparasitism. Such as lice.

4. Endoparasitism

Organisms that live on the inside of the host body are called endoparasites. The relationship between this parasite and the host is called Endoparasitism. Such as nematodes.

5. Meso parasitism

Meso parasites survive partially but not completely in the body of any host. The relationship between meso parasites and the host is called meso parasitism.

Besides these parasitism relationships, there are other types of parasitism relationships that are found in the environment. These are epiparasitism, brood parasitism, social parasitism, kleptoparasitism, microparasites, macroparasites, necrotrophic parasitism, biotrophic parasitism, monogenic parasitism, digenic parasitism (3) & (5).

Difference between mutualism and parasitism

Based on the above discussion, there are some differences between mutualism and parasitism. Mutualisms vs parasitism are as below

Similarities

Although these two relationships (mutualism & parasitism) are different from each other, there are some similarities between them. These are-

1. Mutualism and parasitism both are involved in the symbiosis relationship.
2. In both relationships, at least two species are required.
3. Mutualism and parasitism both are used to consider the interactions of two or more different species.
4. Both relationships exist in nature as well as in all ecosystems.
5. The function of both species present in these two relationships is to grow and develop their bodies by absorbing nutrients (2) & (6).