Parasitism (Gr. Parasitos - The One Who Eats at Someone Else's Table)

Parasitism
(Gr. Parasitos - He Who Eats at Someone Else's Table)

Parasitism is a type of heterotrophic nutrition found in both plants and animals. The parasite lives in or on the surface of another organism (a plant or animal called the host) and receives nutrients from it.

Parasitism allows the parasite to survive at the expense of the host's resources. The parasite can harm the host, weakening it or causing disease. Among the parasites there are both unicellular organisms (for example, the malarial plasmodium) and multicellular ones (for example, the liver fluke).

Parasitism is widespread in nature. Many parasites have co-evolved with their hosts. Some parasites have a complex life cycle, including changes in several hosts. The study of parasitism is important for understanding ecological relationships and controlling parasitic diseases.