There are Many Types of Relationships and Interactions Between Organisms
Relationships and interactions between organisms are very important for the survival of those
organisms. These relationships and interactions could be positive or negative, and include
Biodiversity, Predator/Prey relationships, behaviour, inheritance, and pathogens and the
immune system.
Biodiversity is the range and variance of genes, species and habitats within a particular region.
This is very important for the survival of species. Also important are communities, which are all
the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular place at the same time.
The interactions shown in communities show that there is a reliance of some species on others,
for necessities such as food and shelter. For example, plants are producers, so all other
organisms rely on plants - either directly or indirectly - as a food source. This shows that there is
a relationship of reliance in biodiversity, as organisms rely on each other for survival. Ecological
niches also show a similar relationship between species. A niche describes how an organism
fits into the environment - where they live and what it does there, and includes all the biotic
factors an organism needs to survive. This shows reliance on other organisms, and therefore
relationships and interactions. Relationships and interactions between organisms may also be
affected by humans. For example, pesticides may cause a species to die or leave a specific
area. For instance, it may stop weeds from growing, which may be the main food source of an
organism. The relationship between the two would be changed, as the food source would be
lost.
Predator/prey relationships are very important between organisms, as they provide species with
food, and affect the population size of all organisms involved. An example of this is the
Canadian Lynx and the Snowshoe Hare. Due to their relationship, the populations of both
species fluctuates. As the Snowshoe Hare population increases, the Canadian Lynx population
increases as more move to the area due to the good food source. This then causes the
Snowshoe population to decrease, as their death rate is higher than the birth rate. The Lynx
population then decreases as they die from lack of food, or leave to find a better food source.
This cycle repeats due to the relationship between the two. This is also seen within food chains
and food webs, and is also an example of reliance of organisms on each other.
The behaviour of organisms is affected by relationships and interactions. An example of this is
courtship in animals. The behaviour of members of the same species is more alike than that of
other species - allowing individuals to recognise members of their own species. The ability to
display certain behaviours is genetically determined, and courtship is essential for the survival of
species, so courtship relationships are very important. An example of courtship behaviour is
Peacocks, where male Peacocks have colourful tail feathers they display to attract females, as
more impressive tails are seen by females to have better genes. Interactions like these ensure
the survival of species. Another example of behaviour affected by relationships is competition in
species. Organisms compete for food, shelter, mates, and water. Competition for mates is
affected by courtship behaviour, and competition for food is affected by predator/prey
relationships. This competition may be interspecific and/or intraspecific, as many species could
Relationships and interactions between organisms are very important for the survival of those
organisms. These relationships and interactions could be positive or negative, and include
Biodiversity, Predator/Prey relationships, behaviour, inheritance, and pathogens and the
immune system.
Biodiversity is the range and variance of genes, species and habitats within a particular region.
This is very important for the survival of species. Also important are communities, which are all
the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular place at the same time.
The interactions shown in communities show that there is a reliance of some species on others,
for necessities such as food and shelter. For example, plants are producers, so all other
organisms rely on plants - either directly or indirectly - as a food source. This shows that there is
a relationship of reliance in biodiversity, as organisms rely on each other for survival. Ecological
niches also show a similar relationship between species. A niche describes how an organism
fits into the environment - where they live and what it does there, and includes all the biotic
factors an organism needs to survive. This shows reliance on other organisms, and therefore
relationships and interactions. Relationships and interactions between organisms may also be
affected by humans. For example, pesticides may cause a species to die or leave a specific
area. For instance, it may stop weeds from growing, which may be the main food source of an
organism. The relationship between the two would be changed, as the food source would be
lost.
Predator/prey relationships are very important between organisms, as they provide species with
food, and affect the population size of all organisms involved. An example of this is the
Canadian Lynx and the Snowshoe Hare. Due to their relationship, the populations of both
species fluctuates. As the Snowshoe Hare population increases, the Canadian Lynx population
increases as more move to the area due to the good food source. This then causes the
Snowshoe population to decrease, as their death rate is higher than the birth rate. The Lynx
population then decreases as they die from lack of food, or leave to find a better food source.
This cycle repeats due to the relationship between the two. This is also seen within food chains
and food webs, and is also an example of reliance of organisms on each other.
The behaviour of organisms is affected by relationships and interactions. An example of this is
courtship in animals. The behaviour of members of the same species is more alike than that of
other species - allowing individuals to recognise members of their own species. The ability to
display certain behaviours is genetically determined, and courtship is essential for the survival of
species, so courtship relationships are very important. An example of courtship behaviour is
Peacocks, where male Peacocks have colourful tail feathers they display to attract females, as
more impressive tails are seen by females to have better genes. Interactions like these ensure
the survival of species. Another example of behaviour affected by relationships is competition in
species. Organisms compete for food, shelter, mates, and water. Competition for mates is
affected by courtship behaviour, and competition for food is affected by predator/prey
relationships. This competition may be interspecific and/or intraspecific, as many species could
