Part 4: Competition & Symbiotic Relationships

What are the two types of competition

• Intraspecific competition

• Interspecific competition

What is intraspecific competition

competition between members of the same species (have same needs so they compete for same resources)

What resources are competed for (in intraspecific competition)

Plants will compete with members of the same species for

• Exposure to sunlight

• Minerals in soil

• Water

• Space

Animals will compete with members of the same species for

• food

• mates

• territory

What’s an example of intraspecific competition

Robins Vs Robins

What is interspecific competition and why does it happen?

• Competition between different species

• This happens when two species occupy similar niches, they will compete for resources

• If one of the species is better adapted it will probably outcompete the other

• The weaker/less adapted species will be forced to alter its distribution within a habitat so that it no longer directly competes with the other species

• If this is not possible it could become locally extinct

What resources do different species (interspecific) compete for?

• Same as intraspecific just no mates

How do interspecific and intraspecific competition limit population size and distribution?

Competition arises when individuals or species contend for the same limited resources, such as food, water, light, or space. In intraspecific competition there is also competition for mates.

Intraspecific competition: competition between individuals of the same species. As populations grow and resources become scarce, individuals compete more intensely for survival and reproduction. This competition can lead to a decline in population size as fewer individuals can secure the resources needed to survive and reproduce.

Interspecific competition: competition between different species. When two species compete for similar limited resources, the weaker species may decline in numbers or be forced to move elsewhere. This affects both population size and distribution.

What does interdependence mean

When the survival of an organism is dependent on other species within the same community

What are interdependent relationships in nature known as

Symbiotic relationships

What are the two kinds of symbiotic relationships you need to know

• Parasitism

• Mutualism

What is parasitism

• When an organism, known as a parasite, lives in or on another living organism, referred to as the host

• Parasitism is beneficial for the parasite but harmful to the host

What are the two types of parasites

• endoparasite (lives inside its host) e.g. tapeworm

• ectoparasite (live on its host) e.g. ticks, fleas

What is mutualism

Mutualism is a feeding relationship between two members of different species in which both partners benefit

Give 2 examples of mutualistic relationships

• A sea anemone living on a hermit crab

• The hermit crab is camouflaged by the sea anemone while the sea anemone gains food left behind by crab and also gets a free ride

• Bees and flowers

• Bee pollinates the flower while in turn it gets nectar