definitive host
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The host in which the sexual reproduction of a parasite takes place: In parasitology, a "definitive host" is the organism in which a parasite reaches maturity and reproduces sexually. This host harbors the adult, sexually mature stage of the parasite.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Humans are the definitive host for the tapeworm Taenia saginata.
- The mosquito serves as the definitive host for the malaria parasite, where sexual reproduction occurs.
- Identifying the definitive host is crucial for understanding a parasite's life cycle.
Advanced Usage
- "To act as a definitive host": To function as the organism where a parasite's sexual phase is completed.
- The cat can act as the definitive host for Toxoplasma gondii.
- "Primary definitive host": The main or most common host species for the parasite's sexual reproduction.
- While several mammals can be infected, the dog is considered the primary definitive host for Leishmania infantum.
Variants and Related Words
- Intermediate host (n): A host in which a parasite undergoes development or asexual reproduction but does not reach sexual maturity.
- The snail is an intermediate host for the schistosome parasite.
- Paratenic host (n): A host that is not necessary for the parasite's development but can harbor and transmit it.
- Reservoir host (n): An animal that harbors a parasite and can serve as a source of infection for other species, including humans.
Synonyms
- Final host: A less common synonym for definitive host.
- Primary host: Sometimes used interchangeably, though it can also refer to the main host in a life cycle, which may not always be the site of sexual reproduction.
Related Phrases
- Definitive host specificity: The degree to which a parasite is restricted to a particular species or group of species for its sexual reproduction.
- The parasite shows high definitive host specificity, reproducing only in canids.
Noun
- the host in which the sexual reproduction of a parasite takes place