What is the difference among parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism?

Question

HIX Tutor · Accepted Answer

undefined Parasitism is when one organism (parasite) benefits and the other (host) is harmed. Mutualism is when both organisms benefit. Commensalism is when one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Elias Aboujaoude · Answer

Mutualism is a relationship of two organisms wherein both organisms benefit from each other.

Parasitism is a relationship of two organisms wherein one organism benefit from the other with harm done.

Commensalism is a relationship of two organisms wherein one organism benefit from the other with neither harm nor benefit to the other.

An instance of mutualism can be observed in the relationship between an oxpecker and a zebra. The oxpecker feeds on ticks and other parasites that could harm the zebra, and it gains food from the zebra's parasites. Ticks are an example of a parasite; they feed on dogs' blood, which is unhealthy for the dogs and gives the ticks an advantage. A spider building its web on a tree is an example of commensalism; the spider gains from the tree by doing so, while the tree is neither harmed nor benefits.

Daniel Allen · Answer

undefined In parasitism, one organism gains an advantage over another; in mutualism, both organisms benefit from a symbiotic relationship; and in commensalism, one organism gains an advantage without compromising the other.