sümbiooosi

Sümbioos is a broad term describing any type of a close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms, be it mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic. The organisms involved are known as symbionts. The word "symbiosis" is derived from the Greek words syn ("together") and bios ("life"). These interactions can range from beneficial to detrimental for one or both partners.

Mutualism is a form of symbiosis where both organisms benefit from the interaction. An example is the relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plants, where the fungi help plants absorb nutrients from the soil, and the plants provide the fungi with sugars produced through photosynthesis. Another well-known example is the relationship between bees and flowers, where bees get nectar and pollen, and in turn, pollinate the flowers.

Commensalism occurs when one organism benefits from the interaction, and the other is neither harmed nor helped. Barnacles attaching themselves to whales is a classic example; the barnacles gain a place to live and access to food, while the whale is largely unaffected.

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other organism, the host. The parasite typically lives on or inside the host and derives nourishment from it, often causing harm or disease. Fleas on a dog or tapeworms in a human are common examples of parasites. The classification of an interaction as symbiotic can sometimes be debated, as the degree of benefit or harm can be subtle or change over time.