Most organisms in the environment share many relationships. Some of these relationships are beneficial, and some can be harmful. The bee pollinating the dandelion below is a great example of commensalism. Commensalism is a relationship between two organisms where one organism benefits and the other is unharmed. In this relationship, the bee benefits because the nectar from the flower is a food source. The dandelion in this relationship is unharmed. In many cases, these types of relationships can also be considered mutualism. In mutualism, both organisms benefit. In many cases the flowers also benefit as the bees carry the pollen from one flower to another enabling pollination to occur among the species.
Very nice picture.
ReplyDeleteI would think the relationship would more correctly be defined by your latter suggestion, mutualism. This web site has a great definition of relationships and includes the bee and dandeliion, http://101science.com/Symbiosis.htm
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