- For other uses, see Symbiosis.
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Symbiosis is a broad term that describes a long term relationship of biological dependency between two organisms. Symbiotic relationships are classified as mutualistic, communalistic, or parasitic depending on the nature of the interaction between the organisms involved.
Mutualism[]
A Trill symbiont inside its host.
A mutualistic relationship is one that benefits both organisms involved. The most typical example is that of the Trill. The Trill symbiont enters a Trill humanoid host, and receives nourishment and the ability to travel and learn while the host receives the wisdom and knowledge of all past hosts. A common example is lichens. A lichen is a composite organism that consists of plants (usually algae) living within fungi.
Examples[]
- Trill symbionts and Trill humanoids
- Gomtuu and its crew
- Mabrae and their plants
- Greech and Neyser
- The One and the Many
- Barth and Kendarayans
- Meridian housecats and small organisms on their bodies
- Sok'an
Commenalism[]
A communalistic relationship is one in which one organism is benefited while the other is neither harmed nor benefited. This is typically exhibited by one organism using another as transportation or shelter, or an organism making use of the remains of another dead organism.
Examples[]
Parasitism[]
A parasitic relationship is one in which one organism benefits while harming or killing the other.
Examples[]
External links[]
- Symbiosis article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Symbiosis article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.