Example of Mutualism
Symbiosis: The general term used to describe intimate association between pairs of species is symbiosis. Most ecologists further divide the term into three categories, i.e. mutualism, commensalisms and parasitism.
A. Mutualism:
Two organisms live together in such a way that both are benefited. This association is usually a permanent one.
a. Lichen There are several thousand species of lichen. They are commonly found on exposed rocks and tree trucks. They can even be found on exposed rock of high altitude. Most lichens have a sandwich structure with an upper and lower surface of compact fungal tissue between them, a layer of loosely arranged algal cells concentrate just below the upper surface.
Functions of fungus:
1. It encloses the algae and protects from from desiccation.
2. It helps to absorb minerals and water.
3. It provides anchorage on the substratum.
Functions of algae:
They carry out photosynthesis and supply carbohydrates.
Leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixation bacteria:
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in the root nodules of leguminous plants change the atmospheric nitrogen gas into nitrogenous compounds.
Functions of leguminous plants:
1. They protect the bacteria.
2. They carry out photosynthesis to make carbohydrates.
Functions of nitrogen fixation bacteria
It lives inside the root cortex to divide and form swelling nodules. It converts nitrogen gas to form ammonia/nitrogenous compounds. Any surplus of amino acids is used for the host plant for protein and nucleic acid synthesis, thus stimulating its growth.
(Legumes can live in poor soils and can add nitrogen content to the soil. Therefore, it can increase crop yield.)
Mycorrhiza: They are symbiotic association between fungal hyphae and a higher plant, most of them are conifers. They may either locate on the surface of the root or penetrate host tissue. The inoculation of fungus to the tress can be applied to forestation and land reclamation.
A. Mutualism:
Two organisms live together in such a way that both are benefited. This association is usually a permanent one.
a. Lichen There are several thousand species of lichen. They are commonly found on exposed rocks and tree trucks. They can even be found on exposed rock of high altitude. Most lichens have a sandwich structure with an upper and lower surface of compact fungal tissue between them, a layer of loosely arranged algal cells concentrate just below the upper surface.
Functions of fungus:
1. It encloses the algae and protects from from desiccation.
2. It helps to absorb minerals and water.
3. It provides anchorage on the substratum.
Functions of algae:
They carry out photosynthesis and supply carbohydrates.
Leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixation bacteria:
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in the root nodules of leguminous plants change the atmospheric nitrogen gas into nitrogenous compounds.
Functions of leguminous plants:
1. They protect the bacteria.
2. They carry out photosynthesis to make carbohydrates.
Functions of nitrogen fixation bacteria
It lives inside the root cortex to divide and form swelling nodules. It converts nitrogen gas to form ammonia/nitrogenous compounds. Any surplus of amino acids is used for the host plant for protein and nucleic acid synthesis, thus stimulating its growth.
(Legumes can live in poor soils and can add nitrogen content to the soil. Therefore, it can increase crop yield.)
Mycorrhiza: They are symbiotic association between fungal hyphae and a higher plant, most of them are conifers. They may either locate on the surface of the root or penetrate host tissue. The inoculation of fungus to the tress can be applied to forestation and land reclamation.