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RELATIONSHIPS
RELATIONSHIPS
relationships between organisms
relationships between organisms
A symbiotic relationship is any type of long-term biological interaction between two organisms of different species. A symbiotic relationship is defined as mutualism when both organisms benefit, commensalism when one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited, and parasitism when one organism benefits at the expense of the other.
Competition is another relationship between organisms. It occurs when two organisms fill the same niche within an ecosystem and must fight each other for resources. Competition can also occur within the same species, such as during mating season.
Predation is yet another relationship between organisms. It occurs when one organism preys on another for energy.
The enzymes in the beetle's digestive system cannot break down the complex chemical structure of lignocellulose.
SYMBIOSIS AND THE ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE
SYMBIOSIS AND THE ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE
Most trees contain cellulose, a plant fiber that our bodies cannot break down. Cellulose is a completely organic compound commonly found in foods such as celery and brussel sprouts. However, hardwood trees have another coating around the cellulose in their cells, known as lignin and lignocellulose when combined with cellulose. The Asian longhorned beetle cannot break down this substance, so they employ the use of a microbial community within its gut. This community is made up of a complex bacterial society comprised of organisms such as alphaproteobacteria and betaproteabacteria of the phylum Proteobacteria and various other members of the bacterial phylums Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes.
The Asian longhorned beetle maintains a mutualistic relationship with these bacteria, providing them with food and shelter within the beetle, while the bacteria pass the processed carbohydrates from the wood to the beetle, giving it energy for its life processes.
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