parasitology lecture 1: Intro to Parasitology

define parasitism

a non-mutual, symbiotic relationship in which one of the symbionts (the parasite), benefits at the expense of the host

define parasitology

the study of parasites, their hosts, and the interaction between them

what makes parasites to fascinating?

- they manipulate their hosts

- they can outsmart the immune system

- they can induce pathological changes

define symbiosis

interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association

define commensalism

benefit to one partner, no discernable effect on the other

define mutualism

both partners benefit from the interaction

what kind of relationship is it when one partner benefits, and the other gets killed?

predation or parasitoids

what is a parasitoid

an insect that lays its eggs on a host; the larvae obtain nourishment by consuming the tissues of the host (slowly kills the host organism)

what is social parasitism?

one partner regularly exploits resources from another by pretending to be part of that species

what is kleptoparasitism?

parasites obtain a substantial portion of their food by stealing it from the host. they do not usually continue living in that community.

what is a parasite?

this is when one partner benefits and the other one is not usually killed (at least not intentionally).

one partner benefits, lives in or on host per life cycle stage.

what are some benefits of parasites?

- they play key roles in food webs and energy flow in ecosystems

- they influence population dynamics and competitive interactions

- can lead to new therapeutics

what are the disadvantages of parasites?

- global burdens! (morbidity, mortality, and economic impacts)