COMMENSALLY Meaning and
Definition
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Commensally is an adjective that describes a mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits while the other remains unaffected. This word is commonly used in the context of symbiotic relationships in biology.
The term commensally is derived from the Latin word "commensalis," which means "sharing a table." In the biological sense, it refers to two organisms that share a close association and live in close physical proximity, but without causing harm or benefiting each other directly.
In a commensal relationship, one organism, known as the commensal, benefits by accessing resources, shelter, or transportation provided by the host organism. Meanwhile, the host organism neither benefits nor experiences harm from this association. This type of symbiotic relationship is considered a form of interspecific interaction, occurring between different species.
An example of a commensal relationship is the relationship between a barnacle and a whale. Barnacles attach themselves to the whale's skin, creating a habitat that provides shelter and access to food particles in the water. While the barnacles benefit, the whale is not directly affected by their presence. This relationship is an example of commensalism because it is one-sided, benefiting only the barnacles.
In summary, commensally refers to a beneficial relationship between two organisms in which one organism gains advantages from the other while the latter remains unaffected.
Common Misspellings for COMMENSALLY
- xommensally
- vommensally
- fommensally
- dommensally
- cimmensally
- ckmmensally
- clmmensally
- cpmmensally
- c0mmensally
- c9mmensally
- conmensally
- cokmensally
- cojmensally
- comnensally
- comkensally
- comjensally
- commwnsally
- commsnsally
- commdnsally
Etymology of COMMENSALLY
The word "commensally" is derived from the Latin term "commensalis", which can be further broken down into two components: "com", meaning "together", and "mensa", meaning "table". Therefore, it literally translates to "eating together at the same table". The term originally referred to the practice of sharing meals together, but it has since evolved to encompass broader meanings related to symbiotic relationships and coexistence.
Similar spelling words for COMMENSALLY
- comenius,
- common seal,
- commensal,
- communise,
- commonage,
- common salt,
- common shares,
- common ax,
- conenose,
- communism,
- commensurate,
- commensurable,
- commensalism,
- commence,
- communist.
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