Question

Discuss an example of symbiosis involved in the nutrition of plants and one involved in the nutrition of animals. Be sure to include the organisms involved in each and how the symbiosis is related to the nutrition of the plant and animal.

Answer 1

Symbiosis involved in plant nutrition:

Associated between Alder (Alnus glutinosa) and the bacterium Frankia alni. The bacteria live in the root nodules of alder, and fix atmospheric nitrogen , thus enriching the soil with nitrogenous compounds which are used by the plant. In return, the plant provides the bacteria with sugars synthesized by photosynthesis and harbours them in its roots.

Symbiosis involved in animal nutrition:

Bacteria present in the stomach of ruminants helps to digest the cellulose rich food which otherwise cannot be digested by the ruminants. The bacteria shelter inside the ruminant's stomach, and utilise the glucose produced by digestion of cellulose. They also produce volatile fatty acids in the process, that is utilized by the animal as an energy source.