Tapeworm
Useful Definitions
Parasite
Obligated parasite
Facultative parasite
Endoparasite
Ectoparasite
Pathogenic parasite
Commensals
Host
Definitive host
Intermediate host
Reservoir hosts
Protozoa
Vector
- A parasite is an organism that obtains food and shelter from another organism and derives all benefits from this association.
Obligated parasite
- The parasite is termed obligate when it can live only in a host.
Facultative parasite
- The parasite is classified as facultative when it can live both in a host as well as in free form.
Endoparasite
- Endoparasites are parasites that live inside the body.
Ectoparasite
- Ectoparasites are parasites that exist on the body surface.
Pathogenic parasite
- Pathogenic parasites are parasites that cause harm to the host.
Commensals
- Commensals are parasites that benefit from the host without causing any harm.
Host
- A host is an organism that harbors the parasite and suffers a loss caused by the parasite.
Definitive host
- Definitive host is the host in which the parasite lives its adult and sexual stage.
Intermediate host
- The host in which a parasite lives as the larval and asexual stage.
Reservoir hosts
- Reservoir hosts are other hosts that harbor the parasite and ensure the continuity of the parasite's life cycle. It also acts as an additional source of human infection.
Protozoa
- Single cell eukaryotic animals.
Vector
- Vector is an organism (usually an insect) that is responsible for transmitting the parasitic infection.
