Parasitism

Parasitism

Parasitism (/pəˈræsɪtɪzəm/) is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host.

Etymology

The term "parasitism" comes from the Greek words para meaning "beside" and sitos meaning "food". This refers to the parasite's habit of living off the host.

Types of Parasitism

There are several types of parasitism, including:

• Endoparasitism: The parasite lives inside the body of the host.
• Ectoparasitism: The parasite lives on the surface of the host.
• Brood parasitism: The parasite manipulates a host, via cuckoo or cowbird behavior, into raising its young.
• Social parasitism: A parasite takes advantage of interactions between members of social organisms such as ants, termites, and bumblebees.
• Parasitic castration: The parasite destroys the host's ability to reproduce, diverting those energies to its own reproduction.
• Kleptoparasitism: Parasites steal food or other resources gathered by the host.

Related Terms

• Host (biology): An organism that harbors a parasite, or a mutual or commensal symbiont, typically providing nourishment and shelter.
• Symbiosis: A close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms.
• Mutualism (biology): A symbiotic interaction between individuals of different species where both individuals derive a fitness benefit.
• Commensalism: A long-term biological interaction in which members of one species gain benefits while those of the other species neither benefit nor are harmed.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Parasitism
• Wikipedia's article - Parasitism

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