Symbiont

Pronunciation: /sim-bye-ont/

Category: Entomology

Singular: Symbiont

Plural: Symbionts

Definition

An organism that lives in a symbiotic relationship with another organism.

Etymology

Example

The gut bacteria of many insects are considered symbionts, providing essential nutrients to their host.

Related Terms

Symbiosis
Mutualism
Parasitism

Usage Notes

The term 'symbiont' encompasses a wide range of relationships, from mutualistic to parasitic. The specific nature of the relationship can vary greatly.