1.+Symbiosis+Overview

=What is symbiosis?= sym- together, bio- living

The word symbiosis literally means '//living together//.' In the context of marine biology this is referring to an intimate relationship between __two__ different species. Because symbiosis involves two different species it is __'inter-specific__.' Intra-specific on the other hand, involves members of the same species which would not be considered symbiosis (Abbott 1).

3 Categories of Symbiosis

 * 1) Commensalism
 * 2) Parasitism
 * 3) Mutualism

//Mimicry// is a fourth category of symbiotic relationships however, these relationships are less intimate (Abbott 2).

Degree of Intimacy

 * Ectosymbiont- organism (symbiont) lives attached to the surface of its host cell
 * Endosymbiont- symbiont lives within its host

Dependence on symbiosis
(Bordenstein 2) =Purpose of living together and Benefit of Symbiosis=
 * Facultative symbiont- independent and is able to survive without host
 * Obligate symbiont- dependent, cannot exist independly of its host

-Competition for food and space Within any population, community, or ecosystem there is always competition for food and space(Abbott 2).
 * Symbiosis- way to avoid direct competition, allows two species to live together and share the same space and food supply