Functions
of
Symbiosis -
A
symbiont
substitutes
for
part
or
all
of
the
non
living
environment
which
free
living
organisms
occupy.
The
symbioses
may
provide
to
the
partner
any
of
the
following
benefits:
1.
Protection
- Endo
as
well
as
ectosymbionts
living
in
body
cavities
of
animals
are
protected
from
adverse
environmental
conditions.
These
habitats
protect
the
symbionts
from
dessication
and
in
case
of
warm.
blooded
hosts,
from
extremes
of
temperature.
2.
Provision
of
a
favourable
position
- The
association
may
provide
one
partner
with
a
position
that
is
favourable
with
respect
to
the
supply
of
nutrients.
Marine
ciliates
are
attached
to
the
body
surfaces
of
crustaceans,
where
the
hosts
respiratory
and
feeding
currents
assure
the
microbe
of
a
constant
supply
of
food.





