Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

The term for a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another is parasitism. In this relationship, the parasite derives nutrients and advantages from its host while causing harm, which can be in the form of weakening the host, spreading disease, or even causing death. Parasitism is a specific type of symbiosis that highlights the imbalance between the interacting organisms, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the host.

Commensalism, on the other hand, describes a relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. Mutualism refers to a beneficial relationship for both organisms involved. Competition involves two organisms vying for the same resources, and it does not fit the criteria for a symbiotic relationship, as it does not involve direct interaction that benefits one organism at the expense of another. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in ecology and understanding organism interactions in ecosystems.