Parasite

parasite /par·a·site/ (par´ah-sit)

1. a plant or animal that lives upon or within another living organism at whose expense it obtains some advantage; see symbiosis.

2. the smaller, less complete member of asymmetrical conjoined twins, attached to and dependent upon the autosite.parasit´ic

---

malarial parasite  Plasmodium.

obligatory parasite  one that is entirely dependent on a host for its survival.

---

par·a·site (pr-st)

n.

1. An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.

2. In conjoined twins, the usually incomplete twin that derives its support from the more nearly normal fetus.

---

Parasite

An organism that lives in or with another organism, called the host, in parasitism, a type of association characterized by the parasite obtaining benefits from the host, such as food, and the host being injured as a result.

Mentioned in: Antihelminthic Drugs, Antimalarial Drugs, Antiprotozoal Drugs, Babesiosis, Brucellosis, Chagas' Disease, Cryptosporidiosis, Cyclosporiasis, Fluke Infections, Stool O & P Test, Vulvovaginitis

---

parasite,

n an organism living in or on and obtaining nourishment from another organism.

---

parasite

a plant or animal that lives upon or within another living organism at whose expense it obtains some advantage. See also symbiosis.

Among the many parasites in nature, some feed upon animal hosts, causing diseases ranging from the mildly annoying to the severe and often fatal. Parasites include multicelled and single-celled animals, fungi and bacteria. Viruses are sometimes considered to be parasites. However, the commonest use of the word refers to the multicellular helminth, arachnid, crustacean (copepod) and arthropod parasites.

---

accidental parasite

one that parasitizes an organism other than the usual host.

facultative parasite

one that may be parasitic upon another organism but can exist independently.

incidental parasite

accidental parasite.

obligate parasite, obligatory parasite

one that is entirely dependent upon a host for its survival.

periodic parasite

one that parasitizes a host for short periods.

temporary parasite

one that lives free of its host during part of its life cycle.