Definition

A relationship between two or more living things where one is harmed or negatively affected by the other, often due to substances produced by one of the organisms.

Example

The use of antibiotics in agriculture can lead to antibiosis, affecting beneficial insects.

Conversation

Have you heard about the concept of antibiosis in biology?

Yeah, I think it refers to how some organisms can harm others, right?

Exactly! It's interesting how nature has these competitive relationships.

Totally! It shows how complex ecosystems really are.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Antibiosis is formed from "anti-" (meaning against) and "biosis" (from Greek "bios", meaning life). The term describes a condition in which one organism is harmful to another, effectively acting against life.

Memory Tip

Think of 'anti-' meaning against and 'biosis' relating to life — this helps you remember that antibiosis refers to something that acts against life.

Visually Confused Words