Interspecific relationships
Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answersWhat is an interspecific relationship?
Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.
All 13 Flashcards — Interspecific relationships
Sign up free to track progress and get spaced-repetition review schedules.
Question
What is an interspecific relationship?
Answer
A close interaction **between two different species** in a community.
Question
How can every interspecific relationship be summarised?
Answer
By a **pair of signs** — for each species: benefits (**+**), harmed (**–**) or unaffected (**0**).
Question
Which relationship benefits BOTH species?
Answer
**Mutualism** — it is the only **+ / +** relationship.
Question
Which relationship harms BOTH species?
Answer
**Interspecific competition** — it is the only **– / –** relationship.
Question
Define mutualism.
Answer
An interaction in which **two species live together and both benefit** (+ / +).
Question
Define interspecific competition.
Answer
An interaction in which **two species compete for the same limited resource**, so **both are harmed** (– / –).
Question
Define predation.
Answer
An interaction in which one animal (the predator) **kills and eats** another animal (the prey). Predator +, prey –.
Question
Define herbivory.
Answer
An interaction in which an **animal feeds on a plant**. Herbivore +, plant –.
Question
Define parasitism.
Answer
An interaction in which a **parasite lives on or in a host**, gaining nutrients (+) while harming the host (–).
Question
Define pathogenicity.
Answer
An interaction in which a **pathogen (a disease-causing organism) infects a host**, benefiting itself (+) and causing disease in the host (–).
Question
How do you tell a predator from a parasite?
Answer
A **predator kills its prey quickly**; a **parasite lives on/in one host** and feeds off it over time without quickly killing it.
Question
If both organisms are harmed, which relationship is it?
Answer
Almost always **interspecific competition** (– / –).
Question
How do you score 'explain the type of relationship' for 2 marks?
Answer
**Name** the relationship **and justify** it using the **effect on each species** (the benefit or harm to each).
Read the notes
Full study notes for Interspecific relationships
Topic 3.8 hub
Populations and communities
More from Topic 3.8
All flashcards in this topic
Biology exam skills
Paper structures & tips
Track your progress with spaced repetition
Sign up free — Aimnova tells you exactly which cards to review and when, so you remember everything before your IB exam.
Start Free