Name:________________________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________________
Types of Biological Interactions
Pre-Lab:
- How do interactions between organisms change ecosystems? How did this interaction change the ecosystem?
Background: In ecology, there are many types of different interactions. Recall that interaction is defined as the effect an individual of one species may exert on an individual, which may or may not be a member of different species. Some of these interactions are based on feeding relationships, others are based on survival and competition. There are five types of interactions in ecology.
Purpose: To understand the different types of interactions in ecology and how they impacts an individual's role in an ecosystem.
Symbiosis is ...
Part I: Use the slideshow to help you take notes on the following types of interactions. Provide an example of the interaction and the symbols to represent if organisms benefit,
Interaction Type | Definition | Example | Symbols |
Competition | |||
Predation | |||
Mutualism | |||
Commensalism | |||
Parasitism |
Part II: Carousel. With your table group, make your way around to each different station. At each station you will find a pair of species exhibiting different relationships. Each pair represents either mutualism, commensalism, competition, predation, symbiosis or parasitism. For each pair, explain why you placed it into that category. Record your answers on the table below.
Review: Name the following interactions…
You will investigate 15 different interactions between species. In the table below, write down the names of the two species and determine how they interact.
Picture | Species 1 | Species 2 | Name of Interaction | Symbol |
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15. |
Part III: Analysis Questions, answer in complete sentences in your logbook.
- Which interactions were the most difficult to classify? Why
- What would happen to an ecosystem if more predators were introduced?
- How are ecosystems dependent upon the organisms that live within them?
- What would happen if a predator was suddenly removed from an ecosystem?
- What would happen if all vegetation in an ecosystem suddenly died?
- What is coevolution (hint: use the book)? Why do you think this happened?