Multigenomic organism
Encyclopedia
Multigenomic organisms are plants or animals that have symbiotic
relationships with other organism
s that are necessary for the survival of both, but that differ in their genome
such that they are considered separate species
.
For example, what is commonly thought of as a human being can be described as a multigenomic organism consisting of Homo sapiens and various species of bacteria
in the digestive tract. In nature Homo sapiens cannot survive without the bacteria, which are a separate species, but form a symbiotic relationship with the host organism.
For the most part predator-prey or parasite-host relationships are not multi-genomic in that most predators/parasites feed on more than one prey species, and the prey/host is often fed on by more than one predator/parasite species. In order to be considered a multigenomic organism, the relationship must be mutually beneficial.
The multigenomic organism also differs from the symbiotic relationship between cell
s and mitochondria
because the mitochondria are not considered a separate species, although there is strong evidence that they once were symbiotic bacteria that became enclosed in the cell wall.
Some species of ant
form a multigenomic organism with a particular tree
species. The ants require the tree for shelter, and the tree requires the ants to remove parasites. This relationship is multigenomic in that neither species can survive without the other, the relationship is mutually benefitcial, and neither species forms a similar relationship with other species.
The multigenomic organism relationship is more than merely symbiotic though, in that the genetics
of both species are more strongly mutually adapted. In general the organisms do not trigger immune responses from each other. Also some necessary functions that were once present in both species may become absent in one of them. An example would be certain enzymes produced to aid digestion that are no longer coded into the human digestive tract's expressed genetics.
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
relationships with other organism
Organism
In biology, an organism is any contiguous living system . In at least some form, all organisms are capable of response to stimuli, reproduction, growth and development, and maintenance of homoeostasis as a stable whole.An organism may either be unicellular or, as in the case of humans, comprise...
s that are necessary for the survival of both, but that differ in their genome
Genome
In modern molecular biology and genetics, the genome is the entirety of an organism's hereditary information. It is encoded either in DNA or, for many types of virus, in RNA. The genome includes both the genes and the non-coding sequences of the DNA/RNA....
such that they are considered separate species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
.
For example, what is commonly thought of as a human being can be described as a multigenomic organism consisting of Homo sapiens and various species of bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
in the digestive tract. In nature Homo sapiens cannot survive without the bacteria, which are a separate species, but form a symbiotic relationship with the host organism.
For the most part predator-prey or parasite-host relationships are not multi-genomic in that most predators/parasites feed on more than one prey species, and the prey/host is often fed on by more than one predator/parasite species. In order to be considered a multigenomic organism, the relationship must be mutually beneficial.
The multigenomic organism also differs from the symbiotic relationship between cell
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
s and mitochondria
Mitochondrion
In cell biology, a mitochondrion is a membrane-enclosed organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. These organelles range from 0.5 to 1.0 micrometers in diameter...
because the mitochondria are not considered a separate species, although there is strong evidence that they once were symbiotic bacteria that became enclosed in the cell wall.
Some species of ant
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
form a multigenomic organism with a particular tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
species. The ants require the tree for shelter, and the tree requires the ants to remove parasites. This relationship is multigenomic in that neither species can survive without the other, the relationship is mutually benefitcial, and neither species forms a similar relationship with other species.
The multigenomic organism relationship is more than merely symbiotic though, in that the genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
of both species are more strongly mutually adapted. In general the organisms do not trigger immune responses from each other. Also some necessary functions that were once present in both species may become absent in one of them. An example would be certain enzymes produced to aid digestion that are no longer coded into the human digestive tract's expressed genetics.