COMMENSAL PARASITE Meaning and
Definition
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A commensal parasite is a type of organism that lives in or on the body of another organism, known as the host, and derives nourishment from the host without causing harm or providing benefit. This relationship is considered commensal because the parasite benefits while the host remains unaffected.
Typically, commensal parasites have evolved mechanisms to attach themselves to the host's body, such as specialized appendages or adhesive structures. They then feed on the resources available in the host's environment, such as tissue fluids or blood, without causing any obvious detrimental effects. These parasites often have adaptations that allow them to avoid being detected or attacked by the host's immune system.
Since commensal parasites do not cause harm to their hosts, the host may remain unaware of their presence. However, in certain circumstances, commensal parasites can become opportunistic and cause infections or diseases if the host's immune system is weakened. Additionally, the presence of commensal parasites can sometimes disrupt the balance of the host's natural microbial communities, potentially leading to imbalances or dysbiosis.
Examples of commensal parasites include certain mites, ticks, and lice that live on the bodies of mammals, as well as various fungi and bacteria that colonize human skin or other body surfaces. Understanding the biology and ecological roles of commensal parasites is essential for studying host-parasite interactions and can have implications for human health and disease management.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COMMENSAL PARASITE
- commensal parasita
- commensal parasitg
- commensalparacite
- c ommensal parasite
- co mmensal parasite
- com mensal parasite
- comm ensal parasite
- comme nsal parasite
- commen sal parasite
- commens al parasite
- commensa l parasite
- commensal pa rasite
- commensal par asite
- commensal para site
- commensal paras ite
- commensal parasi te
- commensal parasit e
Etymology of COMMENSAL PARASITE
The word "commensal parasite" is a combination of two terms – "commensal" and "parasite".
The term "commensal" comes from the Latin word "commēnsālis", which means "sharing a table" or "eating together". It is derived from the Latin prefix "com-" meaning "together" and the word "mēnsa", which means "table" or "meal". In biology, "commensal" refers to a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
The term "parasite" comes from the Greek word "parásitos", which means "someone who eats at someone else's table". It is derived from the Greek words "para", meaning "alongside" or "beside", and "sitos", which means "grain" or "food".
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