parasitism Definition
- 1a type of symbiotic relationship between two organisms, where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other organism (the host)
- 2the practice of exploiting others for personal gain or benefit
Using parasitism: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "parasitism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The tapeworm's parasitism of the host can lead to malnourishment and other health problems.
Example
The company's parasitism of its workers through low wages and poor working conditions was widely criticized.
Example
The cuckoo bird's parasitism of other bird species' nests is an example of brood parasitism.
parasitism Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for parasitism
Antonyms for parasitism
Phrases with parasitism
a type of parasitism where the parasite cannot complete its life cycle without a host
Example
The lice that infest human hair are obligate parasites.
a type of parasitism where the parasite can survive and reproduce either as a parasite or independently
Example
Some fungi are facultative parasites, meaning they can obtain nutrients from living or dead organisms.
social parasitism
a type of parasitism where one social insect species exploits the nest of another social insect species
Example
The cuckoo bee practices social parasitism by laying its eggs in the nests of other bee species.
Summary: parasitism in Brief
Parasitism [ˈpærəsaɪtɪzəm] is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another. This can be seen in examples like the tapeworm's parasitism of its host, or the company's parasitism of its workers. There are different types of parasitism, such as obligate and facultative parasitism, and social parasitism in insects.
