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Symbionts are organisms that live in close association with another organism, known as the host. This relationship can take various forms, differing in the benefit or harm each organism experiences. The term symbiosis itself encompasses a broad spectrum of interactions, from mutually beneficial partnerships to parasitic ones.

One common type of symbiosis is mutualism, where both the symbiont and the host derive advantages. For instance, mycorrhizal fungi that colonize plant roots are symbionts that help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil, while the fungi receive sugars produced by the plant through photosynthesis. Another example is the relationship between gut bacteria in animals and their hosts, where bacteria aid in digestion and the host provides a stable environment.

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits, and the other is neither harmed nor helped. Barnacles attaching themselves to whales are often cited as an example; the barnacles gain a place to live and filter food from the water, while the whale is generally unaffected by their presence.

Parasitism represents a symbiotic interaction where the symbiont, or parasite, benefits at the expense of the host, which is harmed. Fleas on a dog, or tapeworms in a mammal's digestive system, are classic examples. The parasite feeds on the host's resources, often causing disease or weakness.

The study of symbionts and their relationships is crucial for understanding ecological dynamics, evolution, and the health of individual organisms and entire ecosystems. The precise nature of a symbiotic relationship can be complex and may even shift under different environmental conditions.