commensal
- noun
- /kəˈmɛnsl/
- Specialized
:
comensal
- Why certain commensals are capable of promoting T-cell-dependent IgA is currently unclear, although an ability to interact with the mucosal surface could be one contributing factor.
Examples
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There are mutualists, commensals, and parasites.
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The word commensal comes from the Latin term "com mensa," which means "sharing a table." Interestingly, signals from your gut microorganisms are sent throughout your body and interact with organisms in your skin and gut mucosa.
Blog text (23) -
So reef building corals have endosymbiotic commensal algae that they farm.
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So we had fewer worms, less Toxoplasma, less Helicobacter, less pseudo commensals from mud and water, and a less varied gut microbiota.
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Commonly (and perhaps confusingly) known as Limulus leeches, they are members of Platyhelminthes, a phylum laden with parasites and commensals; the exact relationship
Academic text (2002) -
The barnacles are commensals, attaching to the whale's skin without harming it.
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The clownfish and sea anemone have a commensal relationship, where both species benefit.
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Certain types of bacteria serve as commensals in the human gut, aiding digestion without causing harm.
Synonyms
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7.5
A living thing that lives very close to another living thing so both benefit
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7.5
An organism that lives closely with another and helps both survive
How Symbiotic
Surface Forms
Etymology
Commensal as a noun comes from Latin parts com- ('together') and mensa ('table'), literally meaning someone who 'shares a table'. In biology, a commensal is an animal or plant that lives near another species and gains a benefit while the host is not affected, so thinking of 'sharing a table' helps you remember this relationship.