1. INTRO TO PARASITOLOGY

Parasitology

The study of parasitic relationships affecting animals.

Parasite

An organism that lives in or on another organism, drawing sustenance from its host and potentially causing harm.

Symbiosis

Any association between at least two living organisms of different species.

Mutualism

A relationship in which both partners benefit.

Commensalism

An association where one member benefits and the other is indifferent.

Parasitism

A relationship where one member (the parasite) lives on or within another (the host) and may cause harm.

Parasitiasis

A type of parasitic relationship where the parasite is present, but the host shows no outward clinical signs.

Parasitosis

A parasitic relationship where the parasite is present and causes obvious injury or harm to the host.

Ectoparasites

Parasites that live on the outside of the host.

Endoparasites

Parasites that live within the body of the host.

Erratic Parasites

Parasites that deviate from their usual site of infection.

Incidental Parasite

A parasite found in a host where it does not usually live.

Facultative Parasites

Organisms that are free-living when not infecting a host but can become parasitic.

Obligatory Parasite

A parasite that must lead a parasitic existence and cannot live freely.

Periodic Parasites

Parasites that make frequent short visits to a host to obtain nourishment.

Pseudoparasites

Organisms that are not parasitic but may be mistaken for parasites.

Definitive Host

The host in which a parasite reaches sexual maturity.

Intermediate Hosts

Hosts that support the immature or larval stages of a parasite.

Transport Hosts

Intermediate hosts that do not undergo significant changes.

Reservoir Hosts

Hosts that carry the parasite and serve as a source of infection.

Taxonomy

The science of classifying and naming organisms based on their relationships.

Linnaean Classification

A hierarchical system for classifying organisms using a binomial nomenclature.

Genus

The first part of a scientific name, indicating the group to which a species belongs.

Species

The second part of a scientific name, indicating the specific organism.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

The system that organizes species into categories such as domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

Example Classification of Dog

Eukaryota, Animalia, Chordata, Vertebrata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Canidae, Canis, familiaris.