A small bowl of yogurt with blueberries and granola on top. Probiotics are not necessary for human health, according to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky. Nevertheless, they might possess many health benefits. Although research is limited, some studies suggest that probiotics may help prevent or treat a number of conditions and improve overall health and wellness. Probiotics are found in food sources as well as dietary supplements.
In mutualism, both organisms benefit. In commensalism, one benefits and the other is unaffected; in parasitism, one benefits and the other is harmed. Some of these relationships are so close that we speak of the composite of two species as one unit; for example, we speak of the composite of algae and fungi as lichens.n commensalism, one benefits and the other is unaffected; in parasitism, one benefits and the other is harmed. Some of these relationships are so close that we speak of the composite of two species as one unit; for example, we speak of the composite of algae and fungi as lichens.
We have previously described examples of symbiosis between fungi and photosynthetic organisms, i.e. mycorrhizae and lichens. Today, we will cover examples of symbiosis involving fungi and animals, specifically insects. We hear much less of fungus-animal symbiosis and usually think of such relationship only as one of host-parasitic relationship. However, the true relationship between fungi and animals are often not known.