MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
SECONDARY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
GRADE 9
WEEK 9 LESSON 2
Topic: Nutrition
Sub-topic: Feeding relationships
Objective: 1. After reading and viewing the diagrams given students will define
accurately each of the following in one sentence:
Parasitism
Commensalism
Mutualism
2. After observing the diagrams given students will accurately state one
example of each feed relationship.
3. From reading the scenario given students will identify the differences
between commensalism and mutualism.
Content:
Definition
Symbiosis- involving interaction between two different organisms living in close physical
association.
Types of symbiotic relationships
1. Parasitism
2. Commensalism
3. Mutualism
Parasitism- is a symbiotic relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives
on or in another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way
of life. Eg Ticks. Ticks are arthropod parasites that live on the skin of their animal hosts.
Picture of a mosquito feeding on an animal
Mutualism- is defined as an interaction between individuals of different species that
results in positive (beneficial) effects on per capita reproduction and/or survival of the
interacting populations. Eg the bee and the flower, the spider crab and the algae, the
bacteria and the human.
Pictures showing Mutualistic relationships
Commensalism- an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other
derives neither benefit nor harm.
Comparison of Mutualism and Commensalism
Mutualism is the relationship where both the organisms of distinct species are
benefitted. Commensalism is the relationship where one organism of the two different species
gains benefits while the other is unaffected.
Homework
Make a list of other symbiotic relationships.
References
Bernard, Myrna et.al (2003) Science in Daily Life Book 3 (Unit 5) Ministry of Education
https://biodifferences.com/difference-between-mutualism-commensalism-and-
parasitism.html#:~:text=Mutualism%20is%20the%20relationship%20where,benefits%20while%
20other%20is%20unaffected.