Symbiosis

I've been hearing a lot of cases of symbiosis lately.

The concept is something that is not hard to describe. Two organisms live together and feed off of one another, helping each other to survive. To say that they feed off of each other isn't quite right, it's more like what one casts off, the other needs, so together they make a closed loop where they benefit each other.

Beatrix Potter, the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, was one of the first biologists to find a symbiotic relationship in nature. She put forth the theory (and apparently some beautiful drawings) that Lichen are actually a symbiosis of Algae and Fungus. Unfortunately, she forwarded her theory during a time when women were not taken seriously, and she was never recognized for her discovery during her lifetime. Almost 90 years later, Britain's Royal Society finally recognized her work and apologized for ignoring her.

I also heard a story about a slug that ate algae, which continued to live for a while inside the slug, continuing to produce energy through photosynthesis until they were digested.

From the world of basic cellular biology, we also know that most cells have structures in them called mitochondria (also known as the powerhouse of the cell) that some speculate were other primitive organisms that were absorbed and preserved in early bacteria. So the basis of most live might be in itself a symbiotic relationship.

One cool story that I keep hearing references to is that humans are themselves a great example of symbiosis. Apparently, there are 10 times more bacteria than human cells in your body. The bacteria cells are all much smaller than the human cells, so it's not like they are some huge visible lump. Still, the first time you hear that number, it's a very scary and strange thought.

Recently, I heard about a strange three-way symbiosis between this plant and a virus and a bacteria. This combination not only allows all three to live together and benefit each other, but it also allows the plant to survive in geothermal soils (that's hot - think Yellowstone and geysers).

I heard a comment by a microbiologist that was tracking the relationship between a bacteria, pylobacter, and stomach ulcers. Just when they found the relationship and started being able to treat people with chronic ulcers by attacking the bacteria, they found out something else new. They found out that pylobacter, which probably has been with humans for thousands of years, and co-evolved with us, is becoming extinct. They think that its disappearance is responsible for the rise in asthma. This means that they believe that the pylobacter, besides making us more susceptible to ulcers, makes us less susceptible to asthma. A strange symbiosis, to be sure. Along the same lines, they believe that human herpes viruses have historically made humans better able to fight off the plague. Scientists studying this field, where our bacteria that live with us create a benefit call the field probiotics.

These two examples of herpes and pylobacter are less cut and dried from the basic definition of symbiosis. It's not pure benefit and no detriment. It's a payoff. There are some problems that come with the gain.

This morning, I was learning about plant root cellular biology, and the instructor was describing how a plant manages to keep harmful bacteria or other organisms out of the roots while allowing nutrients and water in. First, he described a portion of the cell wall that was an impenetrable barrier and wrapped each cell and the entire root in a protective layer. Within this layer were porous parts that allowed nutrients and water to pass, if they wanted and needed them. So you have two types of membranes, one for keeping things out, and one for letting things in. Completely different functions, yet working together, they make the plant thrive.

It occurred to me that society is like this, in a way. You hear people of certain political persuasions saying that the world (or our country) would be better off without those of the opposite persuasion. However, if you think about it, different groups of people act like the root membrane does. Some are willing to think about new ideas and different ways of doing things. Others resist anything new or different from the way they've always done things or the way they've always understood things. If it weren't for people willing to be open to new ideas, you wouldn't have advances in science and society. If it weren't for people resisting new ideas, you would have every harebrained crazy idea sweeping society like the latest fad. Resistance to change and new things keeps society on an even keel and prevents us from discarding important traditions.

As the biologist said, they think that most species will be found to be symbiotic in one way or another. But the concept is so woven into the basic fabric of our lives, that it's not crazy to expect to see it expressed in how we interact with each other. The trick is to recognize it when it's right in front of your face.