Symbiosis is often mistaken to mean a mutually beneficial relationship, but it is actually a general interaction between two organisms. Symbiosis includes mutualism, along with commensalism and parasitism. Mutualism is an interaction in which both organisms benefit. An example of mutualism is oxpeckers and zebras. Oxpeckers perch on the backs of zebras and eat ticks off of them. The zebras benefit because they are rid of pests, and the oxpeckers benefit by eating. Commensalism is an interaction in which one organism benefits and the other is fairly unaffected. An example of commensalism is trees and lichens. Lichens grow on the trunks of trees, using them for support, while the trees are not affected. The trees are not benefited or hurt. On the other hand, parasitism is an interaction in which one organism is benefited and the other is harmed. Examples include all parasites and their hosts. Just one example is the common head lice and humans. Lice attach to people's heads and feed on human blood, harming them.
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