Parasitism can be defined as:
*Adapted to the physiochemical conditions of the host
*Utilized host nutrients in a manner compatible with host survival
*Minimizes the host immune response
*Has a life cycle synchronous with that of the host
The key features of parasitism are a close association and dependence on the host for food.
True parasitism is where the parasites live at the expense of their hosts and always have the potential to harm them, either directly, by depriving them of essential material or by destroying tissues, or indirectly, by damaging their hosts by the liberation of toxins.
Parasites are faces with dichotomous choice for infecting a new host. They can remain in place until a new host arrives or they can disperse.
What is parasitism?
