Ecology

Symbiosis

공생

Definition

A close, long-term biological interaction between two different species living in direct contact.

Detailed Explanation

Symbiosis ranges from mutualism through commensalism to parasitism — the key is long-term physical proximity. Many symbioses are conditional: the same organism may be mutualistic in one context and parasitic in another depending on host health or environmental stress. Coral-zooxanthellae symbiosis drives reef productivity but breaks down under thermal stress, causing bleaching.

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