Symbiosis (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what symbiosis is and the types of symbiosis that exist. Also, examples and how symbiosis develops in psychology.

What is symbiosis?

In biology, symbiosis is the way in which individuals of different species relate to each other, obtaining the benefit of at least one of the two. Symbiosis can be established between animals, plants, microorganisms and fungi.

The concept symbiosis It comes from Greek and means “means of subsistence.”. This word was coined by Anton de Bary and refers to the associations established between individuals in an ecosystem to compete or share natural resources.

These relationships are essential for the survival of living beings, which is why they promote the evolution of species.

TO The individuals that make up symbiotic relationships are called “symbionts.”. When one of the individuals is much larger than the other, the larger one is called a host and the smaller one is called a symbiont.

Types of symbiosis

symbiosis - commensalism — In commensalism one individual is benefited while the other is not affected.

In nature, different types of biological relationships can be identified, such as:

If you consider the beneficiaries and the harmed within the symbiotic relationship, the following classifications are identified:
- Mutualism In this type of relationship, both species benefit from the relationship they establish.
- Parasitism In this type of symbiosis, one of the individuals benefits from the relationship they establish, while the other is harmed.
- Commensalism In this relationship, one of the individuals benefits while the other is not affected either for better or worse. Within commensalism there are the following types:
  - Carrion An individual feeds on the waste of other species.
  - Foresis One species uses another for protection or as a means of locomotion.
If the spatial link established between individuals is considered, the following variants can be identified:
- Ectosymbiosis The symbiote settles on the host's body.
- tenantism An individual lodges inside another to obtain shelter.
- Endosymbiosis The symbiont resides inside the host's cells or in the spaces between them.
- Metabiosis An individual benefits from the physical remains of another and uses them as a tool.

Examples of symbiosis

Nature is full of cases in which symbiotic relationships are established between different species and individuals, for example:

When an algae and a fungus join together, they form lichens, a new structure that acquires much greater resistance and that helps them colonize larger territories (mutualism).
There are birds that establish a bond with birds of other species when they leave their eggs in their nest so that they can raise them as if they were their own (parasitism).
When hermit crabs bond with certain sea anemones, the crab protects itself with the anemone's tentacles and the anemone uses the crab's movements to feed more easily (mutualism).
Scavenger animals feed on the remains of living beings, generally hunted by other species (commensalism).
Birds make their nests and use tree branches to build their homes without causing them any type of damage (commensalism).
Mosquitoes maintain a relationship with humans and animals by drawing their blood. In many cases, these insects carry diseases and infect those who bite (parasitism).
When bees feed on flower nectar, they not only nourish themselves but also become agents of pollination (mutualism).
Crustaceans feed on ectoparasites that are located between the scales and skin of the fish, and that, in turn, carries out cleaning work on the scales (mutualism).
Remoras interact with sharks to transport themselves, without harming them in any way (commensalism).
Flies leave their eggs on the skin or inside the body of other species and, when the larvae hatch, they feed on the tissue in which they were hosted (parasitism).
Plants and worms establish a relationship when the latter move through the soil, creating channels that make it easier for the roots of the plants to absorb water (commensalism).
When certain intestinal parasites lodge and reproduce in the intestines of some living being, negatively affecting its digestion, while taking advantage of the organism (parasitism).

Symbiosis in psychology

In the field of psychology, the concept of symbiosis is also used to refer to relationships in which individuals behave as if they were a single person.

It is very common to talk about “symbiotic relationships” in reference to certain couples in which at least one of the two suffers and cannot generate autonomy, which can lead to some type of pathology. Build symbiotic relationships can make it difficult for each individual to grow personally.

One of the roots of symbiotic relationships may be the fear of freedom, which can lead individuals to do everything as a couple and stop being alone with other people. In this type of relationship, one piece of advice that specialists give is that each of its members make an effort to do things alone, such as going for a walk, for example. Besides, It is very important to work on overcoming fears to regain autonomy.