The Latinized version of the Greek phrase, which means “one who eats at another’s table,” is where the word parasite originates. A relationship between two living species in which one organism benefits at the expense of the other is known as parasitism. The parasite is the creature that benefits, and the host is the organism that suffers damage.
Tapeworms, fleas, and barnacles are a few examples of parasites. Flatworms called “tapeworms” are typically found connected to the interior of the intestines of animals including cows, pigs, and others. They consume the partially digested meal of the host, depriving it of its nutrition. There are many different kinds of parasitism, and they are categorized according to their size, traits, interactions with their hosts, and life cycles:
Mandatory parasitism: This type of parasitism requires the host in order for the parasite to complete its life cycle. Obligate parasites are dependent on their hosts to survive. They do not therefore seriously injure the host. Obligate parasitism is present in fungi, bacteria, and viruses. For instance, head lice that are removed from a human scalp pass away.
Feigned parasitism: This type of parasitism allows the parasite to live independently of the host and completes its life cycle without it. Strongyloides stercoralis, a kind of nematode, lives in the wild and when it infects people, it results in the illness strongyloidiasis.
Ectoparasitism: Ectoparasitism is a behavior displayed by parasites that reside outside of their host’s body. for ticks and nits
Endoparasitism: Endoparasites are parasites that reside inside their host’s body. Nematodes and hookworms are two examples.
Mesoparasitism: Mesoparasitism is exhibited by parasites that enter the host through its exterior holes.
Illustrations of parasitism: Because parasites are a sort of interspecies contact, there are numerous examples of them. The following are a few typical instances of parasitism.
Human Parasitism: Various species, such as fungi, leeches, lice, viruses, protozoa, tapeworms, etc., parasitize people. A select few organisms, like Helminthes, reside inside the host’s intestine and are responsible for a number of infectious disorders, including jaundice, malnutrition, diarrhea, etc. Bacteria and viruses are responsible for all illnesses.
Pestilence in Plants: Aphids, are tiny, green insects that parasitize plants by consuming their sap. Numerous fungus species damage fruits, vegetables, and food grains, and parasitize crops. The parasitic plants have altered roots known as haustoria that attach to the host’s xylem or phloem and drain it of nutrients and water.
Pestilence in Insects: In insects, parasitism is quite prevalent. Larvae and young insects are attacked by entomophagous parasites. Some insects lay their eggs inside the bodies of other bug species’ larvae. The young one consumes the larva after the eggs hatch and gets its nutrients from it.
It is clear that parasitism offers very few advantages, yet it greatly contributes to sustaining the ecosystem’s biodiversity and population control. There may be occasions when parasite-host interactions are crucial.
For instance, parasitoids may regulate their hosts’ body temperatures to ensure the survival of their progeny, and fleas may choose their hosts based on the environment away from their hosts.
Continue visiting the BYJU’S Biology website or download the BYJU’S app for more information to learn more about what parasitism is, its definition, types, and instances.
