Question

Explain Competition and Parasitism with examples.

Hint:

Competition = struggle for resources (both harmed). Parasitism = one benefits (parasite), other harmed (host).

Answer 1

Competition: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{An interaction where individuals of the same or different species compete for limited resources such as food, light, water, or space.} \\ \bullet & \text{Competition can be interspecific (between species) or intraspecific (within species).} \\ \bullet & \text{Example: Flamingos and fishes competing for zooplankton in lakes; two plants competing for sunlight in a dense forest.} \\ \end{array}\] Parasitism: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{A relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (host).} \\ \bullet & \text{The parasite derives food and shelter, while the host is harmed.} \\ \bullet & \text{Example: Plasmodium (malarial parasite) in humans; Cuscuta (dodder plant) parasitizing other plants.} \\ \end{array}\] Difference: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Competition = both species are harmed (−, − interaction).} \\ \bullet & \text{Parasitism = parasite benefits, host harmed (+, − interaction).} \\ \end{array}\]