Symbiosis

Question 1

3 types of symbiotic relationships

Answer 1

1. commensal: one benefits, other is neither harmed nor benefits
2. mutualistic: both parties benefit
3. parasitism: one party benefits at the expense of another

Question 2

normal flora

Answer 2

• organisms that routinely reside on the body’s surfaces
• normal flora colonize a host; “infection” is when they cause disease
• found in organ systems that have contact with the environment
• during surgery/injury/immunosuppression, they are likely to become “opportunistic” and cause infection