Mutualism

Mutualism: occurs between members of different species

--> cooperation

Foot Nodules in Fabaceae

Large plant family including species like clover, peas, beans

Many have developed a mutualistic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria that live in the root nodules grown by the plant

--> the bacteria receive protection and sugars made by the plant through photosynthesis

Inside the nodules oxygen concentration is low

--> Rhizobium absorbs nitrogen and converts it into nitrates for the plant to use to produce proteins (prevents plants from nitrogen deficiency

Mycorrhizae in Orchidaceae

The roots of most plants form an association with fungi called mycorrhizae in the soil

The fungus absorbs nitrogen, phosphorus, fixed carbon and water from the soil to supply to the plant

Orchid seeds don't contain food reserves and are in need of these nutrients

Orchid supplies the fungus with carbon compounds from photosynthesis

Zooxanthellae in Hard Corals

Hard corals secrete calcium carbonate to form a skeleton where individual animals can live

--> provides a safe and protected environment for zooxanthellae close to the surface of the sea

The algae supplies the coral with glucose, amino acids and oxygen from photosynthesis

The coral provides carbon dioxide from cellular respiration for photosynthesis to the algae