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A '''parasite''' is a living organism that depends upon another organism for its continued survival. Parasitism is a form of one-sided [[symbiosis]] where the parasite benefits and the host is harmed. While it used to be thought that parasites were very simple creatures generally with little impact on their [[ecosystem|ecosystems]];<ref>"Only now are scientists thinking seriously about how parasites may be as important to ecosystems as lions and leopards."(xxi-xxii) "Carl Zimmer's ''Parasite Rex''</ref> however, biologists now understand that parasites can be very sophisticated, precisely created to take advantage of their hosts and that parasites can have significant effects on their environment and on their host's life. A common parasite in humans is [[Toxoplasmosis]], and [[Malaria]].<ref>Carl Zimmer's ''Parasite Rex''</ref>

A '''parasite''' is a living [[organism]] that depends upon another organism for its continued survival. Parasitism is a form of one-sided [[symbiosis]] where the parasite benefits and the host is harmed. While it used to be thought that parasites were very simple creatures generally with little impact on their [[ecosystem|ecosystems]];<ref>"Only now are scientists thinking seriously about how parasites may be as important to ecosystems as lions and leopards."(xxi-xxii) "Carl Zimmer's ''Parasite Rex''</ref> however, biologists now understand that parasites can be very sophisticated, precisely created to take advantage of their hosts and that parasites can have significant effects on their environment and on their host's life. A common parasite in humans is [[Toxoplasmosis]], and [[Malaria]].<ref>Carl Zimmer's ''Parasite Rex''</ref>

Unlike many bacterias and viruses, parasites can have extremely long lifespans; tapeworms, for example, can life up to 10 years, or more, in a host.

Unlike many bacterias and viruses, parasites can have extremely long lifespans; tapeworms, for example, can life up to 10 years, or more, in a host.