THESE ARE POEMS ABOUT SYMBIOSIS -A UNIVERSAL PHENOMENON AND AN ESSENTIAL PROCESS OF LIFE -AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANISMS SOME FRIENDLY SOME INIMICALCUTTING ACROSS DOMINIONS.

1. Jeev jagat Chapter 4 Ki Adharshila
Symbiosis
An intense ‘ Live-in ’ relationship
Oh ! What a phenomenon!
Where ever you turn whichever way you turn
you see it and find it flourishing anon
so much so it seems at times
the whole world is going on
carrying on its lifes chores
on the basis of these close relationships
between two different organisms
of not only two different species
but between different kingdoms and domains!*
such universal is its scope
we find it as we probe
its various forms and their role
but three attract our attention in the main
1 A two way friendship -in which both gain – mutualism
2 A one way traffic – one unaffected –one gains- commensalism
3 Antagonistic –one inimical another suffers – parasitism

2. Jeev jagat
there is however one thing common in them
they are long intimate relationships
which profoundly affect or alter life for them
and as we proceed we are sure to find in them
examples –many quite interesting ,absorbing be sure
some astounding and pleasing to behold
others bewildering even shocking to the chore.
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*Between Examples
1 plants and animals ---- flowers and insects
2 protista and animals Algae and corals
3 fungi and animals Athlete’s foot
4 bacteria and animals TB
5 bacteria and plants N2 fixing bacteria & plants
6 fungi and plants Rust & smut diseases
7 algae and fungi Lichens
8 bacteria and fungi Lichens
9 Virus and animals common cold
10 virus and plants wilt and mosaic virus diseases
11 virus and bacteria bacteriophages
Apart from
1 animals and animals Mosquitos & Man
2 plants and plants parasitic Cuscuta
3

3. Jeev jagat poems
Symbiotic mutualism
( friendship par excellence )
A Pollination
Fir0002flagstaffotos – Wc – CC BY NC
An image flashed before my eye
of a bumble bee and a butterfly
on the top of a lovely flower nearby
bee buzzing from time to time
butterflysipping quietly all the time
sweet offering by the swaying flower
as a valuable friendly gesture!
and lo soon the satiated guests
as a return gift offered to carry in earnest
a message or gift from the sta‘mens’
to their beloved lovely ‘maidens’
at the heart of a far or nearby bower

4. And I began to think , each
of them, in their natural retreat
are they not trying to teach
unconsciously and unwittingly of course
a lesson about mutualistic relationship
a friendship par excellence affecting life
of each other merrily in a beautiful style
a symbiosis in which both gain by
coevolution of their features by and by
to adjust and accommodate each other
and functioning as a well matched pair
sure to win a ‘ Made for each other’ prize .
Post Script :
And that stigmatic carpel -ine maiden
on receiving the gift of packed pollen
through the messenger bee or butterfly
felt so happy and felt so shy
kissing the gift swallowing it whole
began to grow and grow on the whole
with a bulging tummy to fructify
showing loves labour and labour of love
conceived in friendship are fruitful for all.

5. B Symbiotic corals
( Another beautiful relationship )
Coral reef – Prafull – Syskool.com
Corals bring to life-an image instantly
of a colourful under water garden virtually
Wonderful structures of many many
exquisite designs and patterns naturally
And in as many shades and hues
as one can imagine nay many more really
Without realizing we are seeing really
houses and homes of Ca Co3 as they say

6. Jeev jagat
Of live animals-Anthozoan Cnidarians
Of Symbiodinium species
indeed their polyps
and that their colours are due to Zooxanthellae
living with them in symbiotic relationship
and are dinoflagellatealgae mainly
Indeed coral polyps and these algae
Have a long history of this ‘live- in’ relationship
Right from the days of great Dinosaurs
They are in this beautiful companionship
200 million years have since gone by
Dinosaurs have perished but they have survived – merrily.!
The algae produce sugars and amino acids
And pass them on to their hosts
Grateful for providing them safe shelter
And thankful corals provide algae
With Co2 and minerals required by the later
To carry on photosynthesis.

7. And to facilitate this corals prefer to live in the sea
In areas of clear or less turbid water and ensure
Sufficient light reaches the algae.
The life thus goes on for both ,for pretty good time smoothly
But when circumstances change and corals are stressed severely
The corals do not hesitate to give ‘Teen talak’ instantly
And expel poor algae without any alimony or ceremony.
The expelled algae survive for long alone on their own
However bleached corals can not do so for long
Unless they succeed in associating with algae shortly
They are unable to survive for long and die .
Unfortunately this beautiful friendship is ,even otherwise,
In great danger due to various factors
Fortunately scientists the world over
Are engaged in saving them from threats which pose danger.