Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship between two organisms where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other organism, the host.
Here's a breakdown:
* Parasite: An organism that lives in or on another organism (the host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.
* Host: An organism that harbors a parasite.
* Symbiotic Relationship: A close and often long-term interaction between two different biological organisms.
Examples of parasitism:
* Fleas on a dog: Fleas feed on the dog's blood, causing irritation and potential health problems.
* Tapeworms in humans: Tapeworms live in the intestines of humans and absorb nutrients from their food.
* Mistletoe on a tree: Mistletoe is a plant that grows on trees and extracts water and nutrients from its host.
Key points to remember about parasitism:
* Parasites often have a specialized relationship with their host, sometimes depending on them for survival.
* The parasite can harm the host, but not always kill it. If the host dies, the parasite loses its food source.
* Parasitism is a common phenomenon in nature, and many organisms have evolved to live as parasites.