Life at 2,286 meters (7,500 feet) below the ocean surface is harsh. To
survive, some organisms living near hydrothermal vents have formed close
associations. These kinds of relationships between organisms occur in many
ecosystems, not just near hydrothermal vents. Find out more by
investigating the organisms in this activity.
Watch the video below if you are having difficulty:
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.ess.earthsys.deepseavents/
Questions
1. On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions about the
“Organisms with close ties” below
o What type of relationship is between the organisms (what type
of symbiosis)
o Which organism(s) benefits from the relationship? How?
o Is either organism harmed by the relationship? How?
o Could both organisms survive without this relationship? Explain.
Organisms with close ties
shrimp and sea anemone
green alga and fungus (lichen)
rhizobium bacteria and soybean plant
hermit crab and sea anemone
oxpecker bird and hippopotamus
tapeworm and dog
crocodile and Egyptian plover
ant and acacia tree
cleaner fish and shark