Difference Between Predation and Parasitisms

Predation and parasitism are the two different species that interact with each other in an Ecosystem. In between both species, one is been harmed and the other is being benefited. In predation, the stronger one kills and eats the weaker one whereas in parasitism one host causes harm to the other thus one of them getting benefited.

What is Predation?

Predation is defined as the biological interaction that occurs between a stronger animal called a predator who kills and eats a weaker animal known as prey. Therefore it refers to the act of preying of animal on another animal. Predators can be identified as Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores. It mainly occurs during carnivores‘ interaction. Examples include Dolphins chasing and eating fish, spiders spinning webs to trap and kill insects, and so on.

What is Parasitism?

Parasitism is defined as the relationship between two species in which one organism benefits at the expense of another one. The parasite species take advantage while the host species contain harm. The word “parasite” comes from the Greek word. The study of parasites is known as Parasitology. The parasites don’t kill their host but in exceptional conditions, they can. Examples include tapeworms, fleas, and dogs. Types of Parasitic relationships:

1. Obligate parasitism 
2. Facultative parasitism
3. Secondary parasitism
4. Brood parasitism
5. Social parasitism

Similarities Between Predation and Parasitism

• Predation and parasitism both cause harm to one species and the other is benefited.
• Both of them involve the other organism getting captured.
• Both Predation and parasitism have interspecific interactions between two different organisms in an ecosystem.

Difference Between Predation and Parasitism

Predation	Parasitism
Definition
Predation is an act of preying on one organism to another organism.	Parasitism refers to the practice of living as a parasite on the body of another organism.
Size
They are bigger and stronger than their prey.	The parasite is smaller than the host organism.
Action
Kill, hunt, and attack the prey.	They particularly use the cells of the host, live, cause harm, and use their resources.
Type of host
They interact with different types of prey.	They interact only with one host organism.
Dependency
They don’t have any dependency between both of them.	They have an intimate association involving metabolic dependency on the host organism.
Nutrition
They take nutrients by killing their prey.	They take nutrients from the host organisms.
Progression
In predation predators are active and they use physical efforts to kill their prey.	They invade the living cells and try to utilize the nutrition, therefore, benefiting the other from the host and causing harm to the host.
Relation
It occurs between the predator and the prey.	It occurs between a parasite and a host organism.
Life Cycle
This type of no such event occurs.	Requires host to complete their life cycle.

FAQs on Predation and Parasitisms

Question 1: What is an ecosystem?

Answer:

Ecosystem is defined as constituents including all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other and also with their non-living environments.

Question 2: What is a parasite?

Answer:

An organism which lives in a host organism and gets its nutrients or food from or the expense of the host. For example- tapeworms, fleas and so on.

Question 3: Define Predation.

Answer:

Predation refers to the biological interaction occurs between one organism which is known as the predator, eats the other organism known as the prey.

Question 4: Define Parasitism.

Answer:

Parasitism refers to the relationship between the two living species where one is benefited at the expense of the other one.