PARASITOTROPY Meaning and
Definition
-
Parasitotropy is a term primarily used in biology to describe the phenomenon of an organism's preference for or tendency to interact with parasitic organisms. Derived from the combination of the words "parasite" and "tropism" (meaning attraction), parasitotropy refers to the ability or inclination of an organism to host or support parasites.
This term is often employed to understand the relationship between a host and its parasites. Some organisms exhibit specific traits or behaviors that make them more attractive or suitable hosts for certain parasites. For example, a specific species of mosquito may exhibit a parasitotropic behavior, making it more likely to be targeted by malaria parasites, which require the mosquito as a host to complete their life cycle.
The concept of parasitotropy can also be applied to describe the preference of certain organisms to invade and exploit hosts. Parasitic organisms often possess adaptations that allow them to locate, attach to, and extract resources from their hosts. These adaptations can include specialized organs, mechanisms to evade the host's immune system, or chemical cues that attract them to suitable hosts.
Understanding parasitotropy is crucial in various disciplines, including parasitology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. It helps scientists comprehend the complex dynamics between hosts and parasites and provides insights into the evolution of parasitic traits and behaviors. By studying how organisms interact and respond to parasitic pressure, researchers can gain valuable knowledge about the co-evolutionary processes shaping biological relationships.
-
In chemotherapy, the affinity of a remedy for the pathogenic parasites, as distinguished from organotropy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PARASITOTROPY
- oarasitotropy
- larasitotropy
- -arasitotropy
- 0arasitotropy
- pzrasitotropy
- psrasitotropy
- pwrasitotropy
- pqrasitotropy
- paeasitotropy
- padasitotropy
- pafasitotropy
- patasitotropy
- pa5asitotropy
- pa4asitotropy
- parzsitotropy
- parssitotropy
- parwsitotropy
- parqsitotropy
- paraaitotropy
- parazitotropy
Etymology of PARASITOTROPY
The word "parasitotropy" is a combination of the Greek words "parasitos" meaning "parasite" and "tropos" meaning "direction" or "affinity". The suffix "-tropy" is derived from the Greek word "tropos", which denotes a turning or change in direction. Thus, the term "parasitotropy" combines these elements to represent the phenomenon of a parasite's directional affinity or preference for a particular host or environment.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
