Question

Differentiate between parasitism and competition give one example of each. State the common characteristics they share.

Answer 1

Hint: these are relationships that exist between organisms when they live with each other.

Complete answer:

| PARASITISM| COMPETITION
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DEFINITION| It is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms and different species.| It can be defined as an interaction between organisms or species for the same resources and needs.
| In this one organism benefits (parasite) at the expense of others.| In this, the fitness of one overpowers the fitness of others.
EXAMPLE| i) Interactions between humans (host) and the parasites like tapeworm, flukes etc. they get food by eating the hosts partly digested food. Making the host deficient of nutrition.ii) Aphids are the insects that eat the sap on the plants which they live.| i) Competition between lion and leopard for the same prey.ii) Competition between two humans for the same job.
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS| It is a negative type of interaction.| it is a negative type of interaction.
TYPES| i) Ectoparasiteii) Endoparasiteiii) Epiparasiteiv) kleptoparasitev) Adelphoparasite| i) Intraspecific competitionii) Interspecific competition
DESCRIPTION| Parasites are generally much smaller than their host.| In competition both the organism usually belongs to the same species or family.

Note: If excessive nutrition is provided both species get sufficient nutrition so the competition gets eliminated while in parasitism the organism still harms the other one.