antibiosis

Definition

A biological interaction between two or more organisms in which one organism produces substances that are harmful or lethal to the other.

Etymology

From Greek 'anti-', meaning 'against', and 'biosis', derived from 'bios', meaning 'life'.

Example

In the soil, certain bacteria produce antibiotics that lead to antibiosis, suppressing the growth of competing microorganisms.

Synonyms

• Bacterial antagonism
• Antimicrobial activity

Related Terms

• Antibiotics
• Microbial competition
• Allelopathy

Usage Notes

Antibiosis can occur between various types of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and plants, and is commonly researched in pest management and antimicrobial studies.