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Table of Contents
One organism (known as the parasite) gains an advantage at the expense of another (known as the host) in a type of symbiosis known as parasitism. The host may also suffer adverse effects from the connection.
See the fact file below for more information on Parasitism, or you can download our 28-page Parasitism worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
DEFINITION
- A parasite is a living organism that feeds off of or consumes the host to survive. Partially digested food from the host is where parasites prefer to reside. They frequently involve seafood, wild animals, and food exposed to contaminated water. This is so that parasites and their eggs may withstand harsh environments.
- Each parasitic worm reproduces by laying eggs. These eggs are shielded from many environmental elements by a hard shell. Without early hatching, the eggs might remain in the environment for weeks, months, or even years.
- On the other hand, in a symbiotic connection known as parasitism, one organism (the parasite) harms another (the host) on which it depends for shelter and resource acquisition. Examples of parasitic relationships include people, plants, insects, and fish.
- For instance, Symbiosis is an example of a close, long-term relationship between creatures of various species. It might take the form of mutualism when there is interdependence between the two creatures.
TYPES OF PARASITIC GROUPS
- Parasitism is a symbiosis defined as a close and long-term biological relationship between a parasite and its host. Unlike saprotrophs, parasites feed on living hosts, but certain parasitic fungi, for instance, may keep eating dead hosts.
- Parasitism, in contrast to commensalism and mutualism, often causes harm to the host, whether by preying on it or, in the situation of intestinal parasites, eating a portion of its food.
- Within that context, various strategies are conceivable. Taxonomic diversity characterizes parasites based on how they interact with their hosts and their usually convoluted life cycles using a variety of overlapping methodologies.
- Obligate Parasitism. An obligatory parasite is dependent on a specific host species. A parasite organism such as this evolved to have a one-of-a-kind relationship with the host. It will attach to and be wholly dependent on the host. Consequently, the host is typically not seriously harmed, allowing the obligatory parasite to thrive on it. Head lice indicate an obligatory parasite since they do not survive separation from their host. They also represent a form of the parasite that is transmitted directly.
- Facultative Parasitism. This is a rare form of parasitism. They can survive (live) without a host and reproduce. Facultative parasites aren’t picky and will infect any available host. Some tapeworms (including Strongyloides stercoralis) and amoebae are included in this group.
- Ectoparasitism, Endoparasitism, and Meso Parasitism. A mesoparasite resides inside the host’s body, but not totally. It penetrates the body by an external entry point, like the ear. Endoparasites, in contrast to parasites that live on a host’s outside, live within the host’s body.
- Examples include parasitic copepods and tapeworms, in addition to barnacles on shrimp and clams. Ectoparasites are parasites that live outside of the host’s body. Ticks and head lice were two instances of ectoparasites.
- Macroparasitism, Microparasitism. A macroparasite is evident to the naked eye and thus doesn’t necessitate a microscope. Microparasites must be examined under a microscope, as opposed to macroparasites. They are not visible to the naked eye.
- Epiparasitism. Epiparasitism occurs when one parasite also feeds on the host of another. As an example, consider a protozoan that provides on the flea which feeds on a mammal.
- Social Parasitism. Several flies, including bees, ants, termites, and some microscopic green insects, have social parasites that prey on their social colonies. Mimicry is occasionally used to gain admission into a colony.
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
- Parasitism is a critical component of adaptive ecology; for instance, nearly most available animals contain at least one species. Vertebrates, the most searched category, are habitat to 75,000 to 300,000 helminth species and an incredible number of parasitic microorganisms. Moreover, Four nematode species, two trematode species, and two cestode species are common in mammals.
- There are 342 helminth parasite species and 70 protozoan parasite types in humans. A parasite population, critical in managing host numbers, is found in roughly three-quarters of food web links.
- The fossil record. The fossil record makes it challenging to verify parasitism; however, holes inside the mandibles of certain Tyrannosaurus specimens might have been generated by Trichomonas-like parasites.
- Coevolution. The interactions between hosts and parasites regularly change as they co-evolve. When a parasite-host contact is one-sided, selection pushes the association to be more pleasant, perhaps mutualistic, since the parasite can breed longer if the host lives for a more extended period.
- Coevolution favoring mutualism. Because it is in the parasite’s evolutionary advantage for its host to thrive, long-term coevolution may emerge in a reasonably stable relationship approximating commensalism or mutualism. A parasite can evolve to be less harmful to its host, or a host might adjust to living with the parasite’s unavoidable existence to the point that the parasite’s absence harms the host.
- Competition favoring virulence. In parasite competition, natural selection is projected to favor faster reproducing and, thus, more virulent parasites. When only one strain of germs can kill the other, the competition wipes out the other type.
- Modifying host behavior. Some parasites change host behavior to improve transmission between hosts, which is common in predator-prey situations (parasite-increased trophic transmission). Notable examples of manipulated hosts include fearless rats, zombie ants, and zombie bees.
- Trait Loss. Parasites can employ their hosts to help them with many tasks they would otherwise be required to complete. By shifting resources to reproduction, parasites that lose certain activities gain a selection advantage.
- Host Defenses. Hosts have developed a variety of defensive measures towards their parasites, comprising physical barriers, including amphibian skin, mammalian immune systems, parasite-removing insects, and plant protection chemicals.
- Vertebrates. The physical barrier produced by reptiles, other birds, and mammals’ thick, usually dry, and waterproof skin prevents invading germs from entering the body. Most bacteria are poisoned by sebum, which is secreted by human skin. When larger parasites, such as trophically transmitted trematodes, enter the water, they feel substances emitted by the skin to locate their prey.
- Insects. To reduce parasitism, insects, notably biting insects, frequently change their nests. For example, the wasp Polistes canadensis, like the rest of its genus, develops multiple combs instead of a single comb to reduce tineid moth infestation.
- Plants. Plants can induce either a particular or a non-specific response. Specific interactions include the plant’s cellular receptors identifying a parasite and eliciting a solid yet localized response.
- Furthermore, non-specific defensive responses are complex, which means they are dispersed all across the plant, relatively being isolated to a single site, requiring a lot of energy. These are effective against a wide range of parasites.
EXAMPLES OF PARASITISM
- In Humans. The three primary forms of human parasites that can infect or parasitize humans are protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. Animals such as the botfly, Balantidium coli, blastocystis, Echinococcus, blood fluke, belly parasites, or gastrointestinal disorders can cause these in humans:
- Threadworm
- Taenia saginata
- Trichuris trichiura
- Necator americanus
- Diphyllobothrium latum
- Dientamoeba fragilis
- Ascaris worm
- In Mammals. Babesia, Coccidia, roundworms in dogs and cats, Sarcoptes scabiei, Dirofilaria immitis, Cyclospora, rat lungworm, Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Acanthocephala is all parasites that afflict mammals other than and/or including humans.
- In Plants. Plants are both perpetrators and victims of parasitism. Aphids require close relationships with their hosts in order to have access to nutrition.
- In Insects. They typically prey on young or immature insects. Adult wasps paralyze young cockroaches, which they then feed to their larvae. Malaria parasites can also be found in mosquitos and induce malaria in people.
- In Fish. Nematodes, leeches, and small crustaceans cling to fish gills. Some get into fish mouths. If fish parasites are not properly cooked, they may cause sickness in humans.
Parasitism Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Parasitism across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Parasitism. A parasite is a living organism that feeds off of or consumes the host to survive. Partially digested food from the host is where parasites prefer to reside. They frequently involve seafood, wild animals, and food exposed to contaminated water. This is so that parasites and their eggs may withstand harsh environments.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Parasitism Facts
- Know the Symbiosis
- Mind Blowing Facts
- Crazy Eights
- Ecto and Endo
- Mumbo Jumbo
- The Class of Parasitism
- #Vertebrates_puzzle
- Watch Me Eat!
- Describe Parasitism
- Be A Writer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is parasitism?
Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between two organisms where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other organism, the host. The parasite typically relies on the host for survival, obtaining nutrients, shelter, and protection from predators.
What are some examples of parasitism?
Examples of parasitism can be found in various ecosystems and include tapeworms living in the intestines of animals, lice living on human hair and skin, and mistletoe plants that grow on trees and obtain nutrients from them.
How do parasites differ from predators?
Parasites and predators are both organisms that obtain resources from other organisms, but they differ in their methods. Predators actively hunt and kill their prey, while parasites generally do not kill their host, as they depend on it for their own survival.
What are the effects of parasitism on the host?
Parasites can have a range of effects on their host, depending on the type and severity of the infection. Some parasites cause mild discomfort or illness, while others can cause severe damage or even death. Parasites can also weaken their host’s immune system and make them more susceptible to other infections.
How can parasites be controlled or eliminated?
Parasites can be controlled or eliminated through a variety of methods, including medications, insecticides, and biological control. However, it is important to consider the potential impact on the environment and non-target organisms when using these methods. Additionally, some parasites have developed resistance to certain treatments, making control more challenging.
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Link will appear as Parasitism Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 23, 2023
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.