Ticks

Definition

Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They can transmit a variety of pathogens that cause diseases in humans and animals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ticks are vectors for several serious diseases, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
2. They belong to the order Ixodida and have four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult.
3. Tick-borne diseases are often transmitted through the bite of infected ticks during their feeding process.
4. Ticks detect hosts through sensory organs that can sense odors, heat, humidity, and vibrations.
5. Tick populations thrive in warm climates with high humidity levels.

Review Questions

• What types of pathogens can ticks transmit?
• Describe the life cycle stages of a tick.
• How do ticks locate their hosts?

Related terms

Lyme Disease:

A bacterial infection transmitted by the bite of infected black-legged ticks.

Vector:

An organism that transmits a pathogen from one host to another.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever:

A bacterial disease spread by tick bites causing fever, rash, and potentially severe complications.