Parasitology

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Parasitology

Parasitology (pronunciation: /ˌpærəsaɪˈtɒlədʒi/) is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them. The term is derived from the Greek words parasitos (meaning "one who eats at the table of another") and logos (meaning "study").

As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question but by their way of life. This means it forms a synthesis of other disciplines, and draws on techniques from fields such as cell biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, evolution and ecology.

History

Parasitology is a science that has its roots in the mid-19th century, but some parasites and parasitic infections were known since antiquity. The first scientific observations were made by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek through his invention of the microscope.

Branches of Parasitology

Parasitology is divided into three main branches:

  • Medical Parasitology: This branch deals with the parasites that infect humans, the diseases caused by them, clinical picture and response of the human body to these parasites.
  • Veterinary Parasitology: This branch deals with parasites that infect animals. Parasites of domestic animals, (livestock and pet animals), as well as wildlife animals are considered.
  • Structural Parasitology: This branch is concerned with the structural biology of parasites.

Related Terms

  • Parasite: An organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense.
  • Host (biology): An organism that harbors a parasitic, a mutualistic, or a commensalist guest (symbiont), typically providing nourishment and shelter.
  • Symbiosis: Any type of a close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms, be it mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic.

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