Class Response

Symbiosis Project

These clear pictures that show parasitism were taken in the woods in Kendall Park, New Jersey. The difference between symbiotic relationships is small but very large. In these photos it shows parasitism between fungi and a tree stump. Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship which two organisms interact while one is benefiting and one is being harmed. The fungus in this picture is the parasite and the tree stump is the host. The mushroom is decomposing and harming the tree stump. Parasitism is important in nature because it helps balance out the food web in an ecosystem. Most parasites are small but do much damage to their host. For example, without parasites there would be a big quantity of one species because the parasites usually tend to go for the bigger hosts. So it’s a chain reaction. A parasite varrys in sizes from very small to pretty big. Some parasites you cannot even see! Then some are feet long. I think parasitism is a different way of living but something that must be done. Parasitism is an easy way for them to live. Since there is little competition and it sustains the food chain I accept this symbiosis in my life. It is hard to avoid parasitism in the world so you must allow what happends. Not every thing can change.