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Biology vocabulary · Ecology and Ecosystems

Symbiosis

Meaning in biology, with examples

/ˌsɪmbaɪˈoʊsɪs/nounCommon term

In biology, symbiosis means: A close, long-term relationship between two different species that live together. It can benefit both, benefit one without affecting the other, or harm one.

In Turkish: simbiyoz, ortak yaşam

How it is used

Biologists divide it into mutualism (both benefit), commensalism (one benefits, the other is unaffected) and parasitism (one benefits, the other is harmed). The adjective is symbiotic, and each partner is a symbiont.

Example sentences

  1. A lichen is a symbiosis between a fungus and an alga or cyanobacterium.

  2. Bacteria in the root nodules of beans live in symbiosis with the plant and fix nitrogen.

Common collocations

  • mutualistic symbiosis
  • live in symbiosis
  • symbiotic relationship
  • symbiotic bacteria
  • hostAn organism or cell that a parasite, virus or other organism lives in or on, and from which it usually gets food or shelter.
  • fungusA member of the group of organisms that includes yeasts, molds and mushrooms. Fungi feed on organic material and have cell walls made of chitin.
  • bacteriaSingle-celled microorganisms without a nucleus that live almost everywhere, from soil and water to the human gut. Most are harmless or useful; some cause disease.
  • ecosystemA community of living things together with the non-living parts of their environment, such as water, soil and climate, all interacting as one system.

More terms: Ecology and Ecosystems

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