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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.", 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>