Fundamentals of Microbiology

4.1.4 Syntrophism

Syntrophism - a mutually beneficial relationship in which each organism provides one or more growth factors, nutrients, or substrates for the other organism; also referred to as cross-feeding or the satellite phenomenon; an important example is interspecies hydrogen transfer, which occurs in anaerobic environments. Quorum sensing allows microorganisms to communicate as they form associations with plants and animals.