The need of a parasite are met by a host-the victim of the parasite.
There are two different ways that parasites can use their host.
An ectoparasite makes its home on the exterior of an organism
attaching itself to the outside of the host and usually feeding on its
fluids. Common ectoparasites include fleas,ticks andleeches,such
as the one seen in figure 14.6. Many types of ectoparasites are also known to carry a wide veriety of diseases that can affect their host. Parasites can also be found inside of living organisms. Endoparasites live in the tissuse and organs of a host where, safely hidden, they feed on the nutrients ingested by their host. Large endoparasites, such as tapeworms and hookworm, and smaller protozoan endoparasites can kill their host if not treated.