How Do You Spell INTERMEDIARY OR INTERMEDIATE HOST?

1. An intermediary or intermediate host refers to a living organism that facilitates the completion of a parasite's life cycle by hosting it at a particular developmental stage. This host is essential for the parasite's survival, reproduction, or transmission to its definitive host. The intermediary host plays a crucial role in enabling the parasite to survive and adapt to its environment.

   In parasitology, an intermediary host assists in the diverse stages of the parasite's life cycle, such as allowing it to undergo developmental changes or providing a suitable environment for reproduction. Unlike the definitive host, which is the organism in which the parasite reaches sexual maturity or produces offspring, the intermediary host typically does not allow these critical processes to occur. Instead, it serves as a temporary residence for the parasite, aiding its growth or maturation before it moves on to the next stage.

   Intermediary hosts can be various types of organisms, including animals, plants, or even microorganisms. The range of intermediary hosts is vast and depends on the specific parasite and its requirements. Some examples include mosquitoes acting as intermediary hosts for malaria parasites or snails serving as hosts for certain flukes.

   By acting as intermediaries, these hosts play a pivotal role in the transmission of parasites and the persistence of their populations. Understanding the life cycles of parasites and the roles of intermediaries is vital for developing effective strategies to control or prevent the spread of parasitic diseases.

2. An invertebrate animal in which a hematozoic protozoan parasite of a vertebrate undergoes its sexual cycle; secondary h.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for INTERMEDIARY OR INTERMEDIATE HOST