A parasite is an animal or plant that gets its nourishment from another animal or plant (called the host). One type of parasite (obligate parasite) depends entirely on hosts and cannot live without them, while another type (facultative parasite) can live without a host.
Author:Jeannette Curtis
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Medical Review:Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated: 05/25/2007
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