What is the difference between predation and parasitism?

Can you explain the difference between predation and parasitism?

Sure! Predation involves one organism, the predator, hunting and consuming another organism, the prey. In contrast, parasitism is a relationship where one organism, the parasite, lives on or in another organism, the host, and benefits at the host's expense.

Can you give me examples of each?

Of course! An example of predation is a lion hunting a zebra. For parasitism, think of a tick feeding on a dog.

Are there any similarities between the two?

Yes, both involve one organism benefiting at the expense of another. They also play crucial roles in ecosystems by regulating populations.

How do these relationships affect ecosystems?

Predation helps control prey populations, while parasitism can influence host health and population dynamics, impacting the entire ecosystem.