Microbio Lab Parasitology Vocabulary

Symbiosis

2 different organisms living together

Mutualism

2 different species in beneficial relationship

Commensalism

1 organism benefits, other is neutral

Parasitism

1 organism benefits off host while causing harm

Host

supports other organism

Definitive host (Protista)

parasite sexually reproduces

Definitive host (Animalia)

adult worm is found 

Intermediate host (protista)

parasite asexually reproduces

Intermediate host (animalia)

juvenile worm is found

Reservoir host

infected organism makes parasite transmittable to others

Ectoparasite

lives outside

Endoparasite

lives inside

Biological vector

undergoes part of lifecycle then transmits

Mechanical vector

transmits parasite, not part of life cycle

Hermaphrodite

male and female sex organs

Cyst

spore stage of protozoa, thick wall

Trophozoite

active motile feeding stage protozoa

Oocyst

cyst in Plasmodium, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma

Nematodes

round and hookworms, Ascaris, Enterobius

Filarial worms

thread roundworm

Microfilariae

larval stage of thread roundworm

Larva

juvenile worm

Ova

egg

Platyhelminthes

flat worms, trematodes and cestodes

Cysticerci

tapeworm larva, one scolex with thin bladder

Cercaria

free swimming trematode larva

Metacercaria

encysted fluke stage

Trematodes

flukes

Cestodes

tapeworms