Dictionary > Endoparasitism

Endoparasitism

Definition
noun
(parasitology) A form of parasitism involving endoparasite
Supplement
Parasitism is one of the many forms of symbiosis. In parasitism, one organism (called parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism usually of different species (called host). The parasite benefits at the expense of the host organism. Depending on the type of parasite involved, the parasitism may be an ectoparasitism or an endoparasitism. In endoparasitism, the parasite involved is an endoparasite. Endoparasites are of two forms: intercellular parasites and intracellular parasites. Intercellular parasites are those that inhabit the spaces of the body of the host. Intercellular parasites are endoparasites that live within the cell of the host. Examples of intercellular parasites are nematodes, tapeworms, and other helminthes. Helminthes live in the gut of their hosts. Examples of intracellular parasites are the protozoan Plasmodium, the causative agent of malaria. They thrive inside the cells of their human host. Plasmodium species have different stages in their life cycle. Within the definitive host (human), the sporozoite stage of Plasmodium species occurs within the liver cells where the sporozoite gives rise to a merozoite or to a hyponozoite, which then infects the red blood cell of the host.
Word origin: endo– (“within”) Latin parasitus from Greek parasitos (person who eats at the table of another).
Compare:

See also:

  • parasite
  • parasitism
  • symbiosis


  • You will also like...

    Genetic engineering
    Genetic Engineering Advantages & Disadvantages

    This tutorial presents the benefits and the possible adverse eventualities of genetic engineering. Know more about this ..

    Human perception in action
    Human Perception – Neurology

    This tutorial investigates perception as two people can interpret the same thing differently. Know more about human perc..

    Selective Breeding
    Selective Breeding

    Gregor Mendel's studies into Monohybrid and Dihybrid crossing and Charles Darwin's study of evolution and natural select..

    Early Mammals on Earth
    Early Mammals on Earth

    The Earth's ecosphere was rapidly changing and throwing up a wide range of ecological niches that new adaptive organisms..

    IQ, Creativity and Learning
    IQ, Creativity and Learning

    Human intelligence provided the means to utilize abstract ideas and implement reasoning. This tutorial takes a further l..

    Homo Species
    The Homo Species

    The evolution of the species of the genus "Homo" led to the emergence of modern humans. Find out more about human evolut..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics