Changes

A '''parasite''' is a living [[organism]] that lives by exploiting another organism. 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.", Zimmer, 2001, p xxi-xxii.</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 '''parasite''' is a living [[organism]] that lives by exploiting another organism. 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.", Zimmer, 2001, p xxi-xxii.</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.

Common parasites in humans include [[Toxoplasmosis]] and the [[Malaria]]l parasite.<ref>Zimmer, 2001</ref>

Common parasites in humans include [[Toxoplasmosis]] and the [[Malaria]]l parasite.<ref>Zimmer, 2001</ref> Worms are also common parasites, with up to 7,000 species of parasitic worms described. These species include the roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Most parasitic worms are [[nematode]]s that are invisible to the naked eye.

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

Unlike many bacterias and viruses, parasites can have extremely long lifespans.  Tapeworms, for example, can live up to 10 years, or more, in a host. Some forms of protozoan parasites called trypanosomes will persist in the heart muscle, skin and liver for a person's entire life, these cause the fatal illness [[Chagas' disease]] and are common in South America. [[Charles Darwin]] may have suffered from Chagas' disease.

[[Young Earth Creationism|Young earth creationists]] see parasites, along with diseases, as coming about as a result of [[Adam]]'s [[sin]] against [[God]] and are one of the problems that arose on Earth because of the beginning of sin.<ref>Armitage, 2000</ref>

[[Young Earth Creationism|Young earth creationists]] see parasites, along with diseases, as coming about as a result of [[Adam]]'s [[sin]] against [[God]] and are one of the problems that arose on Earth because of the beginning of sin.<ref>Armitage, 2000</ref>