What is a Host?
An organism known as a host gives nourishment or a home to another organism, known as a parasite, usually belonging to a different species. A variety of relationships, including commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism, can occur in the connection between the parasite and the host. An organism that is being abused or damaged by a parasite is referred to as the host in terms of parasitism.
Types of Hosts
The various types of host are discussed below:
- Definitive host: It is the living organism in which the parasite matures and, if relevant, reproduces sexually.
- Intermediate host: A parasitic creature that harbours the larval or asexual stages of a parasite but does not mature fully.
- Reservoir host: A host species that harbours the parasite and can infect additional hosts, including humans.
- Accidental host: A host that is not the normal host species for a certain parasite but can become infected under certain conditions is known as an accidental host.
- Paratenic host: Also known as a transport host. It is a host that acts as a short-term carrier for the parasite but is not required for the parasite’s life cycle.
- Vector host: A Vector Host is a host that spreads the parasite from one host to the next. Frequently connected with arthropod-borne infections, such as mosquitoes and ticks.
Difference Between Host and Parasite
The difference between host and parasite lies in the benefit one derives from the interaction. Host and parasite relationship involves the host providing habitat and nourishment for the parasite, while the parasite relies on the host for survival and reproduction, often causing harm to the host in the process. The host and parasite examples include humans infected with malaria parasites. In this article, we will cover the difference between host and parasite in detail.
Table of Content
- What is a Host?
- What is a Parasite?
- Difference between Host and Parasite
- Conclusion – Difference Between Host and Parasite
- Difference Between Related Links
- FAQs on Difference Between Host and Parasite