Write a title:
FEEDING RELATIONSHIPS
Write the following words in
the Key Words column and
leave 3 blank lines for each
word.
Predation
Competition
Symbiosis
Parasitism
Commensalism
Mutualism
competition—when two or more organisms rely on the
same environmental resource
predation—behavior of one animal feeding on another
symbiosis—the close relationship of two different
organisms
mutualism—a symbiotic relationship where both
organisms benefit
commensalism—a symbiotic relationship where one
organism benefits and one does not, but is unharmed
parasitism—a symbiotic relationship where one
organism benefits and one is harmed
Video: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/activity/ecologicalrelationships/?ar_a=1
Which symbiotic relationships do these
statements apply to?
“I scratch your back and it hurts you”
“I scratch your back you scratch mine”
“I scratch your back and you have no idea that I’m
doing it”
12/2/14
Tables are numbered as stations. Find your name and sit at the
station assigned to you. When you get to your seat, start
working on the Do Now immediately.
MAKE A TREE MAP LIKE THIS and fill in the boxes with
these words: predation, competition, symbiosis,
commensalism, mutualism, parasitism. For each symbiotic
relationship, write the statement that describes it: “I scratch your
back and it hurts you”, “I scratch your back, you scratch mine”, “I
scratch your back and you have no idea that I’m doing it”.
COMPETITION
• When organisms of same or different
species are after the same resource (food,
water, shelter).
Example: snakes and hawks both eat small
mammals.
PREDATOR/PREY
One species (predator) eats another (prey).
SYMBIOSIS
• General term for any feeding relationship
where 2 organisms are in direct contact
with each other.
• Mutualism, Parasitism & Commensalism
are all examples of Symbiosis
PARASITISM
• Relationship where one organism harms
another.
• “I scratch your back and it hurts you”
• Parasite = the harmer
• Host = the harmed
Examples: ticks, flees, mosquitos,
tapeworms.
MUTUALISM
• Relationship where both organisms benefit from
each other.
• “I scratch your back you scratch mine”
Examples: pollinators and flowers, oxpecker and
zebra.
COMMENSALISM
• Relationship where one organism benefits and the
other is neither harmed nor helped.
• “I scratch your back and you have no idea that I’m
doing it”
Examples: barnacles, birds nesting in trees
Feeding relationships scenario #1
Once upon a time there lived a tubeworm named Telly. He lived close to a
Hydrothermal Vent 2 miles deep in the Atlantic Ocean. Inside Telly there
lived a tiny Bacteria name Barry.
Barry would absorb some of the Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Dioxide, and
water from around the Hydrothermal Vent and turn it into sugar.
Barry then used this food to grow and heal itself. Barry would give any
leftover sugar to Telly. Telly would use the sugar to grow. Barry loved living
inside of Telly, because it kept him safe from predators that were after him.
Feeding relationships scenario #2
Once upon a time there lived a Mosquito named Mildred. Mildred flew
around New York City. She loved the city life. Her favorite thing to do
was chase down humans and have a drink of their blood. Mildred was
very sneaky. She could find the smallest bit of exposed skin on an
unsuspecting human and start chowing down. She figured what the
heck a few drops of blood won’t kill a human; I mean look how big they
are compared to me.
Feeding relationships scenario #3
Once upon a time there lived a tick named Terrence. Terrence was a
good tick who always did the right thing. His favorite thing to do was
hold out his arms and wait to catch a ride from his best friend Doug the
dog. Doug was a good dog who loved his family and loved being
outside running through the tall grass. Doug had long brown hair that
kept him warm in the winter. Once Terrence was on Doug, he couldn’t
help but latch on with his mouth and take a bite. The blood tasted so
good and Doug didn’t seem to notice.
Feeding relationships scenario #4
Once upon a time there lived a bee name Buzz and a flower named Flora.
Buzz and Flora were best friends and spent hours together talking and joking
around. Buzz could always count on Flora and Flora could always count on
Buzz. Buzz loved Flora’s pillowy pollen and Flora dug the way Buzz’s feet
tickled her. It seemed like a match made in heaven. Each one seemed to
scratch each other’s back. As Buzz flew away with some pollen, he often
dropped some on other flowers; pollinating them in the process. Of course
Buzz took that pollen back to the hive to share with his true love the Queen.
She made the most magnificent honey.
Feeding relationships scenario #5
Once upon a time there lived a barnacle named Bob. Bob didn’t like to
move. He was pretty set in his ways and preferred the easy life of
skimming food off of the surface of his friend Willy the Whale. Willy was
a Blue Whale, the largest animal to ever live on Earth. He swam
through the ocean without a care in the world; least of all Bob the
Barnacle who lived on his fluke. Willy never really did understand why
Bob was there; he certainly wasn’t feeling any pain from him. Of course
it’s not like he was helping him either.
Feeding relationships scenario #6
Once upon a time there was a Clownfish name CeLo and a Sea
Anemone named Melanie. CeLo was scared of everything and
preferred to hide. He didn’t like crowds, he was scared of the dark, he
hated loud sounds, and shadows made him nervous. Melanie was his
only friend. Melanie spread out her long tentacles and CeLo hid in
between them to stay safe. For some reason nobody messed with
Melanie. It was as if she was dangerous and everybody except CeLo
knew it. In any case Melanie didn’t mind having CeLo hang around; he
seemed harmless to her and it was nice to have someone to talk to.
Feeding relationships scenario #7
Sid the Snake and Ronnie the Red-Tailed Hawk both love the taste of
mice. Both live near the same pond and feel as if they are the top dog
around the pond. Every year Sid notices that there seem to be less and
less mice. He wonders what next year will be like.