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Interspecific Relationships - Negative Interactions > Predation

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Estimated time: 4 minutes

CISCE: Class 12

Definition: Predation

Predation is an interaction between two species in which one organism, called the predator, kills and feeds on another organism, called the prey, for food.

CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Predation

Predation helps in energy transfer across trophic levels and keeps prey populations under control.
Predators maintain ecological balance and species diversity by reducing competition among prey.
In the absence of predators, some species may overgrow or become invasive (e.g., prickly pear in Australia).
Overexploitation by predators can cause the extinction of prey and then predators, so natural systems remain balanced.
Prey species develop defence mechanisms like camouflage and chemical protection (e.g., Monarch butterfly).
Plants also defend against herbivores using thorns (morphological) and toxic chemicals (chemical defence).
Example: Calotropis produces poisonous substances that deter grazing animals.