Explain parasitism with an example.

Explanation

i. PARASITISM `(+,-)` : It is a kind of harmful interaction between two species, wherein one species is the 'parsite' and the other its 'host'. The parasite benefits at the expense of the host. A parasite derives shelter, food the other protection from the host.
ii. Parasites exhibit adaptations to explot their hosts.
iii. The parasites may be viral parasites `("Plant"//"animal"),` microbial parasites `("Eg: bacteria"//"protoza"//"fungi"),` phytoparasites (Plant parasites) and zooparasites (animal parasites such as Platyhelminthes, nematodes, arthropods).
iv. Ectoparasites : Parasites may inhabit or attach to the surface of the host. Eg. Head lice, Endo parasites which live with in the body of the host Eg. Tapeworm in human Intestine.
v. Parasites may be permanent or temporary. Temporary parasites spend only a part of their life cycle as parasites. For example, Glochidium larva of Anadonia (fresh water mussel) attaches itself to the body of fish. Permanent parasites spen their life completely dependent on their host organism. Eg. Plasmodium.