parasitism
one organism benefits and the other is harmed
Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism, the parasite, lives on or inside another organism, the host, and benefits at the expense of the host. Parasites have evolved to exploit their hosts to obtain nutrients, shelter, and protection from predators, without providing any benefit to the host. They can cause harm to the host, ranging from mild irritation to death.
Examples of parasites include tapeworms, fleas, ticks, lice, and many types of bacteria and viruses. These organisms often have specialized structures or abilities to help them live on or inside hosts, such as hooks, suckers, or mouthparts for feeding, or the ability to evade the host’s immune system. Parasites can affect humans, animals, and plants, and can be spread through many different means, such as direct contact, insect vectors, or contaminated food and water.
The study of parasitism is important for understanding the dynamics of ecosystems and for developing strategies to control or prevent the spread of parasitic infections.
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