commensal etymology

Etymology:

The word "commensal" originates from the Latin words:

  • "com-" meaning "with"
  • "mensa" meaning "table"

Meaning:

In biology, commensalism describes a relationship between two organisms where one organism (the commensal) benefits from the relationship, while the other organism (the host) is neither harmed nor benefited.

Origin:

The term "commensal" was first coined by the German zoologist Pierre Joseph van Beneden in 1876. He used the term to describe the relationship between certain marine organisms that live on or within larger hosts.

Examples:

Some common examples of commensalism include:

  • Barnacles living on the shell of a whale
  • Remora fish attaching themselves to sharks for protection
  • Certain bacteria living in the human gut, providing nutrients to the host while benefiting from the host's environment
  • Birds nesting in the branches of trees, using the tree as shelter without harming it

commensal relate terms

  • mesa

    Etymology of mesa The word mesa comes from the Spanish word mesa which means tab

  • commensalism

    Etymology The word commensalism is derived from two Latin words cum mensa meaning

  • commensal

    Etymology The word commensal originates from the Latin words com meaning with

  • begin

    Etymology The word begin comes from the Old English word beginnan which means to pe

  • binge

    Etymology Binge noun Mid 16th century from Dutch bing a heap pile binge Bing

  • mensa

    Etymology Latin mensa table Meaning and Origin The term mensa is derived fro

  • oppression

    Etymology The word oppression comes from the Latin word oppressio which means actio

  • pristine

    Etymology Origin French pristine from Latin pristinus meaning former ancient Root

  • resolve

    Etymology Latin resolvere meaning to loosen untie dissolve Meaning To separa

  • cemetery

    Etymology and Origin The word cemetery originates from the Greek word koimeterion m

  • gazette

    Etymology and Origin The word gazette is derived from the Italian word gazzetta whi

  • haggard

    Etymology Early 17th century probably from dialectal hag to cut hack tire Mea

  • brand

    Brand Etymology Meaning and Origin Etymology The word brand derives from the Old Nor