Parasitology Terminology

Question 1

Parasitiasis vs. Parasitiosis?

Answer 1

• Parasitiasis = parasite in/on host with NO outward signs
• Parasitiosis = parasite in/on host with OBVIOUS harm

Question 2

What is a definitive host?

Answer 2

host that has had parasite for a while, parasite is mature & reproducing.

Question 3

What is an intermediate host?

Answer 3

host that has had parasite for a short while, parasite still larval/immature & non-reproducing.

Question 4

What is a paratenic host?

Answer 4

host that transports the parasite w/o any development (usually encysted)

Question 5

What is an aberrant parasite?

Answer 5

parasite found in unusual location

Question 6

What is an incidental parasite?

Answer 6

parasite found on unusual/unexpected host

Question 7

What is a facultative parasite?

Answer 7

parasite was once free-living, but became parasite on host

Question 8

What is a periodic parasite?

Answer 8

parasite that visits hosts for short periods, frequently

Question 9

What is an obligatory parasite?

Answer 9

parasite that cannot survive without its host, must always be on host

Question 10

What does it mean to be monoxenous or homoxenous?

Answer 10

parasite has only one, specific host

Question 11

What does it mean to be stenoxenous?

Answer 11

parasite has narrow range of hosts

Question 12

What does it mean to be euryxenous?

Answer 12

parasite has broad range of hosts

Question 13

What is a pre-patent period in reference to parasites?

Answer 13

the time from infection to becoming a reproducing adult

Question 14

What are the differences in morphology between insects vs. arachnids?

Answer 14

• insects = 6 legs, 3 body parts
• arachnids = 8 legs, 2 body parts

Question 15

What are symbionts?

Answer 15

organisms living in a close relationship with another organism (host + parasite)

Question 16

What is symbiosis?

Answer 16

organisms of at least 2 different species living together, whether temporarily or permanently

Question 17

What is phoresis?

Answer 17

“act of carrying”
- relationship where larger carries smaller

Question 18

What is commensalism?

Answer 18

relationship where one benefits & other is not affected

Question 19

What is parasitism?

Answer 19

when a parasite has metabolic dependence on its host

Question 20

What are hirudineans?

Answer 20

leeches

Question 21

Direct lifecycle vs. indirect lifecycle?

Answer 21

• Direct = no int. host, +/- free-living stages
• Indirect = has 2+ hosts (could be transport, int., etc)

Question 22

What does “myriapoda” refer to?

Answer 22

centipedes & millipedes