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malaria is a difficult infection for the human body to identify and deal with
The parasite has two distinct phases -
in the first, it reproduces inside the liver (it gets here within minutes after a mosquito bites you - and can stay here for 8-30 days, depending on the strain)
Once they burst out of the liver cells, they go into the blood, and infect the red blood cells (second phase, here they again replicate and infect more cells)
It is hard for the body to recognise in the liver, because the body does not really look 'inside' the liver cells as much.
Within the red blood cells, again, it is hidden from a lot of the immune system, and needs to be destroyed in your spleen. (Althought the parasite tries to avoid this by causing your blood to clot, and avoid going to the spleen).
It's important if you have symptoms of fever, and you've stayed in an area with malaria recently, to get checked - it's easily diagnosable! Also, prevention if you're thinking of travelling is cheap and effective.
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∙ 12y ago
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How do tapeworms avoid the host's defenses?
Tapeworms are the adult class of parasites and they are fond of living inside the intestine of their hosts. Tapeworms passively avoid the host defensive system by host digestive system due to the tapeworms coating that keeps on producing by itself and use it as its defense mechanism.
Are dogs hosts or parasites?
Dogs are not parasites because parasites suck the blood of other animals. Dogs are hosts to various parasites, such as ticks and fleas.
Parasites that live inside their hosts?
endoparasites
Who are the hosts to the malaria parasite?
Mosquitos
Do parasites help their hosts?
They don't.
Do parasites kill hosts?
If they are successful then they don't.
Do parasites co-evolve with their hosts?
Yes
How are parasites able to recognize their hosts?
Parasites identify a specific host cell that they can partner with.
How are parasites and their host similar to predators and their prey?
Parasites feed off their hosts. Predators feed off their prey. Difference is that parasites want to keep their hosts alive so they can continue to feed off them.
Parasites that live on the external surface of their hosts?
ectoparasites
Where do parasites absorb nutrients from?
From their hosts. The hosts may be plants, animals or even micro-organisms.
How do parasites serve as density-dependent limiting factors?
Parasites can limit the growth of a population. They take nourishment from their hosts, often weakening them and causing disease or death. As the population of parasites grow, the population of their hosts tend to decrease.
