Summation of coursework for own reference and for those who are remotely interested.


I'm trying to compare human relationships with the symbiotic relationships in nature. The nature aspect that I've decided to focus on is the Kingdom of Fungi. Some kinds of fungus are parasitic, like the cordyceps, feeding on the host plant/organism and sapping nutrients from them, causing harm to the host. There are also some kinds of fungi - mychorrizal fungi (eg truffles, Indian Pipe) that form mutualistic relationships with plants. These fungi soak up water and nutrients and provide them to the plant, and in return the plant provides the fungi with energy-rich sugars. The Vanilla Orchid even depends on fungi to help germinate its seeds. Some fungi are detritivorous, meaning that they're decomposers, living on DEAD organisms, hence making them functional parasites.


Based on the above 3 classifications of fungi, I'm gonna relate them to humans. The foetus and the mother are the parasitical relationship. The foetus sucks nutrients from the mother, much like parasites that absorb nutrients from the plant. The mutualistic relationship can be compared to that of a normal girl-guy relationship in which two parties benefit. Each cannot do without the other, and there exists a rather ideal, harmonious give-and-take connection between both parties. Decomposers - this is kinda tricky. I'm still thinking of a possible human relationship that can be "functional",


Phew, I've done my research! It's really nice to know what direction I'm heading towards. At least now when people ask me what I'm doing for my coursework, I'm able to explain it to them in one or two sentences. My final work is prolly gonna be a series of paintings in the oil medium. Ok, back to work. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself :)