"Some parasites can alter the behaviour of their host in ways that give the parasite a better home, or provide more nutrients, or cause the host to move to a different environment," said Janice Moore, a biologist at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. 24 окт. 2018 г.
Do parasites benefit their host?
But it turns out that some parasites, although potentially harmful in isolation, can in fact help hosts to cope with more deadly infections. Understanding when parasitism is beneficial has important implications for how we manage infectious diseases, but we currently know very little about this phenomenon.
How do parasites affect their hosts?
Parasites May Influence Predation on Their Hosts The potential effect that parasites have on host–predator interactions is also important. Parasites may lower the ability of their hosts to escape predators; infected hosts may swim and react more slowly than healthy hosts, for example.
How do parasites take control of host genes?
To exert long-term behavioral manipulation of the host, parasite must secrete compounds that act through secondary messengers and/or directly on genes often modifying gene expression to produce long-lasting effects.
Do parasites depend on host?
An obligate parasite depends completely on the host to complete its life cycle, while a facultative parasite does not. Parasite life cycles involving only one host are called "direct"; those with a definitive host (where the parasite reproduces sexually) and at least one intermediate host are called "indirect".
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