Symbiosis
Close, long-term biological interaction between two different species. Can be mutualistic (both benefit), commensal (one benefits, other neutral), or parasitic (one benefits, other harmed).
Used in the Books
This term appears in 7 chapters:
"...organisms are, how they work, and why organizations follow the same rules. The concepts introduced here - metabolism, homeostasis, growth mechanisms, symbiosis, selection, ecosystems - form the vocabulary for everything that follows. Book 2: Resource Dynamics How organisms acquire, allocate, and use res..."
"...est whether your DNA is adapted to the new environment. Small-scale pilots reveal mismatches before expensive failures. --- Bridge to Chapter 6: Symbiosis and Exchange Reproduction allows organisms to spread their DNA across space and time. But no organism exists in isolation."
"Chapter 6: Symbiosis and Exchange Why No Organism Survives Alone In 2007, Kenya had a problem. Seventy percent of adults had no bank account."
"They exist in ecosystems: networks of organisms exchanging energy, resources, and influence. Chapter 6 covered dyadic symbiosis: M-Pesa and agents, Alibaba and merchants, Spotify and labels. Chapter 7 covered selection: which symbiotic relationships survive pressure? Chapter ..."
"Phenotype adapts. Asexual reproduction is fast but rigid. Sexual reproduction recombines. Horizontal transfer borrows. - Symbiosis → Partnerships: Mutualism benefits both parties. Commensalism is one-sided but harmless. Parasitism extracts."
And 2 more chapters...
Biological Context
Coral-algae partnerships, mycorrhizal fungi with plant roots, and gut bacteria with their hosts are all symbioses. Symbiotic relationships can become so integrated that partners can't survive independently. Mitochondria and chloroplasts were originally symbiotic bacteria.
Business Application
Business symbioses: app stores and developers, credit card networks and merchants, platforms and participants. Understanding whether relationships are truly mutualistic helps evaluate partnership sustainability.