Symbiosis--What's It About?

1.   Click on the weblink titled "Symbiosis WebLink" below.  Read the information about symbiosis.  Be sure to pay close attention to the examples of commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism provided.  You may wish to take notes in your Science Journal.  You may want to come back to this site throughout the activity to double-check that your definitions/ideas of symbiosis are correct.  A good rule of thumb is:

Parasitism= someone is hurt, someone is helped

Mutualism= both get something out of the relationship, no one is harmed

Commensalism= one is helped, the other is just there (not helped, not harmed)

Predator= eats another living organism (plant or animal)

Prey= is eaten and dies

2. Click on the link to the YouTube video "Zombie Snails" below.  As you watch the video, try to decide which organisms are the following.  Write your answers in your Science Journal.

Who is the parasite?

Who is the host?

Who is the predator?

Who is the prey?

Do any of the organisms fulfill more than one of these roles?  If so, who? 

3.  Click on the weblink titled "Parasitism" below.  Read the examples of parasitic relationships and note the most interesting relationship (your opinion!) in your Science Journal.

4.  Click on the weblink titled "National Geographic Hippo".  As you watch this video, try to decide what type of relationship the hippos and the crocs have with one another.  Who is helped?  Who is harmed?  Write your answers in your Science Journal.

5.  Click on the link to the National Geographic video "Clown Fish & Anemone" below.  As you watch the video, try to determine how the clown fish is able to live with the anemone without being stung.  What type of relationship is this?  How do the clown fish and the sea anemone work together?  Write your answers in your Science Journal.

6.  Click on the weblink titled "Dolphins Fish" below.  As you watch this video, try to determine what type of relationship exists between the dolphins and the gannets.  Did you know that dolphins assist humans in catching fish as well?

7. You are almost there!!!!  Now, in your lab groups, you will need to create a comic strip that shows the three types of symbiosis and the predator/prey relationship.  Your comic strip should contain at least three frames.  Be sure to use real relationships with real species and to follow the rubric provided.  You may use the supplies provided by your teacher.  Click the video "Symbiotic" to get you in the mood!  Good luck!