A symbiotic relationship can be many things. Mutualistic (both organisns benefit), parasitic (one benefits, one harmed), and commensalism (one benefits, one is unaffected)
I was taught that symbiotic relationships are mutually beneficial, and is the opposite of a parasitic relationship where one benefits and the other suffers. I’ve never heard it used in any other way.
It’s also how dictionaries define “symbiotic.”
It seems like one of those things that only gets better defined if you’re in the field of study, such as a biologist.
Explain the difference?
A symbiotic relationship can be many things. Mutualistic (both organisns benefit), parasitic (one benefits, one harmed), and commensalism (one benefits, one is unaffected)
I was taught that symbiotic relationships are mutually beneficial, and is the opposite of a parasitic relationship where one benefits and the other suffers. I’ve never heard it used in any other way.
It’s also how dictionaries define “symbiotic.”
It seems like one of those things that only gets better defined if you’re in the field of study, such as a biologist.
I learned the term “symbiotic” in high school biology and it’s always meant mutually-beneficial.