A parasitic relationship is a sort of symbiotic relationship between two species in which the parasite benefits at the expense of the host while the host benefits from the parasite's presence. Living on or inside the host provides the parasite with nourishment, protection, and other resources for survival, development, and reproduction. In the meantime, the host suffers because the parasite frequently disrupts the host's tissues, organs, or other essential processes, which can result in diminished fitness, illness, or death.