How Do You Spell COMMENSALS?

Pronunciation: [kəmˈɛnsə͡lz] (IPA)

Commensals is a word that refers to organisms that live together in harmony, without causing harm to each other. The phonetic transcription of this word is /kəˈmɛnsəlz/, with stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced with the schwa sound, while the second syllable has a short e sound as in "let". The third syllable begins with an "n" sound and ends with the "s" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with the "əlz" sound as in "battles". The spelling of commensals reflects its origin from the Latin word "commensalis".

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Basic Check Advanced Check

COMMENSALS Meaning and Definition

  1. Commensals are organisms of different species that live in close association with one another, where one organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited. This type of interaction is known as commensalism, an ecological relationship that falls under symbiosis. Commensal organisms are typically found in terrestrial, marine, and even microbial communities.

    In commensalism, the organism that benefits from the association is referred to as the commensal. This organism can utilize resources such as shelter, food, or transportation provided by the other organism known as the host. The host, on the other hand, does not experience any significant positive or negative impact from the association. While the commensal may receive direct benefits, the host is typically unaffected or may not even be aware of the commensal's presence.

    Commensal relationships can occur between various organisms. For example, some birds build nests in trees, taking advantage of the tree's support and protection without impacting the tree's well-being. In marine environments, barnacles attach themselves to the shells of whales, benefiting from the whale's movement and access to food without causing harm to the host.

    Overall, commensals have evolved to exploit resources from another organism without impacting their survival or fitness. This interaction highlights the complex and diverse relationships that exist in ecosystems, contributing to the overall balance and functioning of natural systems.

Common Misspellings for COMMENSALS

Etymology of COMMENSALS

The word commensals is derived from the Latin word commensalis, which is a combination of com- meaning with and mensa meaning table. The Latin word commensalis referred to someone who shared a meal with others, especially as a guest or companion. Over time, the term commensalis evolved into commensal in English, which refers to organisms that live together in close association, usually with one organism benefitting from the relationship while the other is unaffected. The plural form of commensal is commensals.