Question

Define the following terms and give one example for each:
A. Commensalism
B. Parasitism
C. Camouflage
D. Mutualism
E. Interspecific competition

Answer 1

Hint: Biological interaction is the effect that a pair of organisms have on each other living together in a community. These interactions are of two types, interspecific interactions, and intraspecific interactions. Interspecific interactions are interactions between the organisms of the same species whereas interspecific interactions mean the interactions between the organisms of two different species.

Complete answer:
Commensalism: It is an association of two organisms in which one organism is benefited while the other organism remains unaffected. For example, Whales and Barnacles, cattle Egrets, and epiphytic plants.
Parasitism: It is an association of two organisms where one is benefited at the cost of the other organism. For example, tapeworms are attached to the insides of the intestines of pigs, cows, etc., and lice in the scalp of human beings.
Camouflage: It is an adaptation in which organisms blend themselves with some surroundings to escape from predators. For example, walking stick insects camouflage themselves to disguise themselves.
Mutualism: It is an association of two organisms in which both organisms are benefited. For example, the bacteria and the human, The algae, and the spider crab.
Interspecific competition: It is the competition between organisms of two different species for common resources such as food, shelter, etc. For example, competition between lions and leopards for common prey.

Additional Information:
Negative interactions include:
Ammensalism: It is the association of two organisms of different species in which one organism is harmed while the other organism remains unaffected. For example, trampling of cattle on grass and grass is crushed but cattle are neither benefited or harmed.
Parasitism: It is an association of two organisms where one is benefited at the cost of other organisms. For example, lice in the scalp of human beings.
Predation: It is an interaction between two organisms in which one organism kills and consumes another organism. For example, owls hunting mice.
Cannibalism: In this interaction, one organism consumes the other organism of the same species as food. For example, spiders eating each other, sand tiger sharks.
Competition: It occurs between the living organisms that live together or coexist in the same environment. For example, animals compete for food, water, territory, and mates.

Note:
Biological interactions are the interactions in which two organisms living together in a community affect each other. The effect can be positive or negative. The organism which is benefited is positively affected whereas the other one which is harmed is negatively affected. The effects of interactions like be short term or long term. Short term effect is like predation and pollination whereas long- term interaction is symbiosis. Symbiosis varies from mutualism to competition.