Definitions Flashcards
Symbiosis
A relationship where an organism spends part/all of its life associated with another organism of another species
What are the types of symbiosis?
Commensalism, mutualism, parasitism
Commensalism
One member (commensal) benefits while the other (host) neither benefits or is harmed
Mutualism
Mutualist and the host depend on each other physically. Both benefit, usually obligatory.
Parasitism
Where a parasite lives on the host at the expense of the host, obligatory relationship.
What is the goal of parasitism?
The parasite must not kill its host or be killed by the host
Susceptibility
The physiological state of the host in which the parasite is furnished with its life needs.
Insusceptibility
When the host does not supply the environment for the parasite to develop.
Resistance
Alterations of the physiological state of the host which do not allow the parasite to develop
Definitive Host
The host in which the parasite reaches sexual maturity or produces its sexual stages
Intermediate Host
An obligate host which alternates with the definitive host and harbors a larval stage of the parasite. Usually where asexual reproduction occurs.
Paratenic/Transport host
Host that accumulates parasites, does not undergo further development
Prepatent infection
The period between entry into the host and attainment of sexual maturity
Patency
when the parasite reaches sexual maturity and starts to reproduce
Prepatent period
The period between infection and eggs passing in the feces
