symbiosis (redirected from symbioses)

sym·bi·o·sis  (smb-ss, -b-)

n. pl. sym·bi·o·ses (-sz)

1. Biology A close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of different species that may, but does not necessarily, benefit each member.

2. A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

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[Greek sumbisis, companionship, from sumbioun, to live together, from sumbios, living together : sun-, syn- + bios, life; see g^wei- in Indo-European roots.]

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symbi·otic (-tk), symbi·oti·cal (--kl) adj.

symbi·oti·cal·ly adv.

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symbiosis

Noun

1. Biol a close association of two different animal or plant species living together to their mutual benefit

2. a similar relationship between different individuals or groups: the symbiosis of the coal and railway industries [Greek: a living together]

symbiotic adj

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symbiosis  (smb-ss)

The close association between two or more organisms of different species, often but not necessarily benefiting each member. The association of algae and fungi in lichens and of bacteria living in the intestines or on the skin of animals are forms of symbiosis. Some scientists believe that many multicellular organisms evolved from symbiotic relationships between unicellular ones and that the DNA-containing organelles within certain eukaryotic cells (such as mitochondria and chloroplasts) are the product of symbiotic relationships in which the participants became interdependent. There are four forms of symbiosis: amensalism, commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism.

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symbiotic adjective

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symbiosis

a relationship or association between two or more organisms that is harmful to none of them. — symbiotic, adj.

See also: Organisms

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the living together of two dissimilar organisms; the relationship may be beneficial to both (mutualism and symbiosis), beneficial to one without effect on the other (commensalism), beneficial to one and detrimental to the other (parasitism), detrimental to the first without any effect on the other (amensalism), or detrimental to both (synnecrosis). — symbiotic, adj.

See also: Biology

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

symbiosis - the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other mutualism interdependence, interdependency, mutuality - a reciprocal relation between interdependent entities (objects or individuals or groups) trophobiosis - a symbiotic relation in which one organism protects the other in return for some kind of food product