Parasitology Vocab Flashcards
Mutualism
2 organisms of different species live in a relationship where both benefit
Symbiosis
Two different types of organisms living together
Commensalism
Relationship where 1 organism benefits & the other does not, but it is not harmed
Parasitism
A relationship in which 1 organism lives off another (host) & causes harm to the host
Host
Any organism that supports another organism
Definitive host
Kingdom Protista - the host in which the parasite undergoes sexual reproduction; Kingdom Animalia - the host in which the adult worm is found
Intermediate host
Kingdom Protista - the host in which the parasite undergoes asexual reproduction; Kingdom Animalia - the host in which the juvenile form of the worm is found
Reservoir host
Infected organism (usually an animal) which makes the parasite available for transmission to other hosts
Ectoparasite
A parasite that lives on the outer surface of the host; ticks, lice, fleas
Endoparasite
A parasite that lives inside the host; tapeworm, Giardia, Plasmodium
Biological vector
An organism in which the parasite undergoes part of its life cycle & then transmits the parasite to another organism; female Anopheles mosquito
Mechanical vector
An organism that transmits a parasite, but is not part of the parasites life cycle, for example-flies, roaches, rodents
Hermaphrodite
Animal that has both male AND female reproductive organs
Cyst
Spore like stage of protozoa; thick wall-resistant to unfavorable environment
Trophozoite
Active, motile, feeding stage of protozoa
