Parasitism is a type of relationship between two living organisms where:
- One organism (the parasite) benefits
- The other organism (the host) is harmed
The parasite depends on the host for food, shelter, or resources, often weakening the host but usually not killing it right away.
Simple Examples
- Ticks on dogs → ticks get blood; dogs get irritated or sick
- Tapeworms in humans → tapeworm gets nutrients; human loses nutrients
- Mistletoe on trees → mistletoe takes water and nutrients from the tree
Types of Parasites
- Ectoparasites: live on the outside of the host (fleas, lice)
- Endoparasites: live inside the host (tapeworms, roundworms)
Key Comparison
- Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed
- Mutualism: both benefit
- Commensalism: one benefits, the other is unaffected
If you want, I can explain it with a diagram idea, real-life examples for school, or help you compare it to other symbiotic relationships.
