(in Polish) Mutualistic interactions 2600-MK-MIBIOL-1-S2

Mutualistic interactions are when two organisms of different species "work together," each benefiting from the relationship. Familiar examples include corals (associations between cnidarians [animals] and dinoflagellates [unicellular algae]), lichens (fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria), and malaria (involving the apicomplexan, Plasmodium, and its mosquito). These relationships have profoundly influenced the evolution of individual lineages and entire ecosystems. For instance, the evolution of mycorrhizal symbioses is believed to have been a key innovation that enabled plants to colonize land and establish terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding the mechanisms that establish, maintain, and disrupt mutualisms is therefore essential for appreciating their ecological and evolutionary significance.

The lecture explores the diversity, evolution, and natural history of mutualistic interactions across different environments—including terrestrial, marine, and forest ecosystems—and among various organisms such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.Through the analysis of primary scientific literature, students will gain insight into the complexity and richness of mutualistic relationships. Students will be acquainted with the popular and ecologically important mutualistic interactions existing in our environment eg pollination, seed dispersal, ant-plant associations, yucca moth and yucca plant, and interactions involving multiple species and across trophic levels. Students will also become familiar with key groups of microorganisms (e.g., mycorrhizae, endophytes, lichens) that form symbiotic associations with plants and play critical roles in ecosystem functioning.

The practical sessions focus on hands-on experiments and techniques used to study mutualistic symbioses, particularly those involving microorganisms and plants. Students will:
1. Perform molecular identification of mycorrhizal symbionts (both ectomycorrhizal and endomycorrhizal).
2. Demonstrate the effect of different environmental stresses (e.g. soil, temperature, salinity) on the microbial symbiosis formation in plants using bacterial and fungal inocula.
3. Evaluate the effect of plant growth and development with and without micorbial mutualists through pot experiments
4. Learn isolation and characterization techniques for bacterial and fungal symbionts associated with plants (e.g. endophytes, rhizobia in root nodules).
5. Investigate the role of microbial symbionts in soil health and nutrient cycling.
6. Explore methods for isolation and identification of the human skin and saliva mutualistic microbiome.

Term 2023/24L:

None

Term 2025/26L:

None

Total student workload

Hours conducted with the participation of teachers (45 hours, 1.8 ECTS): - participation in lectures - 15 - participation in laboratory classes - 30 Time devoted to individual student work (80 hours, 3.2 ECTS): - preparation for passing - 40 - preparation for classes - 30 - own work on studies - 10 Total: 125 hours (5 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

W1- Explains basic knowledge of biological concepts and complex natural phenomena and processes, as well as relationships and dependencies between structure and function - K_W02 W2- Knows and understands the phenomena occurring in organisms and their communities to an extensive degree - K_W04 W3- Familiar with the phenomena occurring in organisms and their communities, the interactions of the environment and organisms living in it - K_W06 W4- Acquainted with the current knowledge of detailed biological sciences (biochemistry, genetics, microbiology and physiology) used in research - K_W11

Learning outcomes - skills

U1- Uses knowledge of biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and physiology in the analysis of natural processes. - K_U02 U2- Has basic skills in advanced measurement and analytical techniques used in biological research - K_U03 U3- Analyzes measurements, interpret observations, and on their basis, develop and describe the results and draw correct conclusions - K_U08

Learning outcomes - social competencies

K1- Understands the need to constantly expand knowledge with the use of scientific and popular science magazines. - K_K01 K2- Is aware of the responsibility for the reliability of analyzes and expert opinions. - K_K04 K3- Is responsible for the safety of his own and others' work, risk assessment and creating safe working conditions. - K_K09

Teaching methods

Expository teaching methods: Lecture: 1. informative lecture with multimedia presentation 2. presentation of visual materials (films, photographs) Laboratory: illustrative and research based on written instructions; students carry out tasks individually or in pairs; classes are conducted in a group of 8-12 students, because it is required by methodology of experiments: access to laboratory equipment and devices, and work with chemical reagents.

Expository teaching methods

- informative (conventional) lecture
- participatory lecture
- description

Exploratory teaching methods

- project work
- experimental
- practical
- laboratory
- field measurement
- biographical
- observation

Type of course

compulsory course

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge from the first degree of study.

Course coordinators

Bliss Furtado

Assessment criteria

Lectures: – summative assessment of knowledge
K_W 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18

Exercises – summative assessment of knowledge
K_W 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18

Lectures: the condition for admission to pass is passing the classes that make up the subject and attend lectures; acceptable forms of assessment: single-choice test; multiple choice test; descriptive questions, duration of the exam: 120 min. Required threshold for a satisfactory grade - 55-60%, satisfactory plus - 61-70%, good - 71-80%, good plus 81-90%, very good - 91-100%.

Laboratory: the condition for obtaining a pass is attendance at all classes; written report covering the subject of the class (70%), continuous assessment (current preparation of students for classes and studies (20%), active participation (10%). Required threshold for a satisfactory grade - 55-60%, satisfactory plus - 61 -70%, good - 71-80%, good plus 81-90%, very good - 91-100%.

Practical placement

“not applicable”

Bibliography

-Bronstein, Judith L., (2015) ed. Mutualism. Oxford University Press, USA.
-Brundrett, M., Bougher, N., Dell, B., Grove, T. and Malajczuk, N. (1996). Working with mycorrhizas in forestry and agriculture (Vol. 32, p. 374). Canberra: Australian Center for International Agricultural Research.
-Smith, S.E. and Read, D.J., (2010). Mycorrhizal symbiosis. 3rd edition Academic press.
-do Rosario Nogueira, R., 2025. Mutualistic interactions between plants with extrafloral nectaries and ants: ecological impacts, ant sharing among neighboring plants, and the effects of environmental conditions. Community Ecology, pp.1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42974-025-00233-w
-Lebreton, A. and Keller, J., (2024). At the root of plant symbioses: Untangling the genetic mechanisms behind mutualistic associations. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 77, p.102448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102448

Additional literature:
-van der Heijden MG, Streitwolf-Engel R, Riedl R, Siegrist S, Neudecker A, Ineichen K, et al. (2006). The mycorrhizal contribution to plant productivity, plant nutrition and soil structure in experimental grassland. The New Phytologist. 172(4):739–52. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01862.x
-Dejean, A., Azémar, F., Naskrecki, P., Tindo, M., Rossi, V., Faucher, C. and Gryta, H., (2023). Mutualistic interactions between ants and fungi: A review. Ecology and Evolution, 13(8), p.e10386. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10386
-CaraDonna, P.J., Burkle, L.A., Schwarz, B., Resasco, J., Knight, T.M., Benadi, G., Blüthgen, N., Dormann, C.F., Fang, Q., Fründ, J. and Gauzens, B., (2021). Seeing through the static: the temporal dimension of plant–animal mutualistic interactions. Ecology Letters, 24(1), pp.149-161. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13623

-Latest scientific publications on the topic.

Term 2023/24L:

None

Term 2025/26L:

None

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2600-MK-MIBIOL-1-S2 in USOSweb