Root of the Week: BIO (Friday)

Symbiosis  (Noun) 

The Greek root  “sym” or “syn” means “with” or “together.”  Symbiosis is a phenomenon in which two different kinds of animal or plant “live together.”  Sometimes this arrangement benefits both (in which case it’s called “mutualism”), other times one benefits at the expense of the other (parasitism). An example of the first type is the relationship between oxpeckers and rhinoceroses.  Oxpeckers are small birds that feed on the parasites that infest rhinoceroses’ skin: the birds get a meal and the rhinos get cleansing treatment.  One common kind of parasitic plant is mistletoe: mistletoe plants grow on trees and shrubs, taking all their nutrients from the host plant.  Sometimes the effect on the host is somewhat minimal, such as stunted growth.  Other times the mistletoe eventually kills the tree.

Symbiotic (Adjective)

The adjective symbiotic is also used more metaphorically to describe relationships between and among people. The root “sym” appears in the noun sympathy (feeling with) as well as symbiotic. A symbiotic relationship between people is likely characterized by mutual sympathy. Friendships, kinship, and work relationships can all involve people connecting with, supporting, and benefiting each other. In an ideal world, a society would be one immense symbiotic web of connection in which each individual would give and derive benefits from all the others.