Parasites

Parasites: dangerous living organisms

Parasites are living organisms that feed on other organisms, called hosts. They can be both animals and plants. Parasites are closely associated with their hosts throughout their life cycle and can feed on the blood, lymph, tissue or digested food of their host. They can use the host as a habitat and cause harm to it.

The degree of harm caused by parasites to their host varies. They usually cause disease, weakening and exhaustion of the host. Some parasites do not cause disease, but can make the host a parasite carrier, a source of disease spread.

There are zooparasites (protozoa, helminths, insects, etc.) and plant parasites (bacteria, microscopic fungi, some higher plants). Parasites also include viruses. Some types of parasites can infect a wide range of hosts, while others parasitize only one or a few closely related species.

Parasites can be either ectoparasites (feeding on the surface of the host's body) or endoparasites (living and feeding on the host's body). Most ectoparasites are hematophagous, that is, they feed on the blood or lymph of the host. Some ectoparasites feed on feathers, hair and other derivatives of the stratum corneum of the skin. Many ectoparasites are also carriers of microbes that cause so-called vector-borne diseases in humans and animals.

Endoparasites live and feed in the host's body. They can live inside the skin, in the cavities of the nose, ear, mouth, conjunctiva of the eye, intestines, tissues and even in blood vessels. Some parasites migrate to different parts and organs of the body throughout their life cycle. Some types of parasites have a complex development cycle, which includes a change in several hosts.

The change of hosts is associated with alternating generations of parasites. The fight against parasites is of great practical importance for the prevention and elimination of diseases caused by them. There are various methods of controlling parasites, such as prevention, chemicals, the use of biological agents and others. However, the effectiveness of these methods may be limited due to the diversity of parasite species and their ability to adapt.

Prevention is the main method of controlling parasites. This includes maintaining good hygiene, using protective products such as insect and tick repellent, and regularly checking the health of the animals. Chemicals can be used to treat diseases caused by parasites and prevent their spread.

Biological agents such as parasitoids and some types of bacteria can be used to control parasites. These agents are used to control parasitic insects such as flies, ticks and mosquitoes. However, the use of biological agents may be limited due to their potential for dissemination and negative environmental impact.

In general, parasites are dangerous living organisms that can cause serious illness in humans and animals. Parasite control involves a variety of methods, and the effectiveness of these methods may be limited due to the diversity of parasite species and their ability to adapt.