Nature's Real Zombies: The Science of Mind-Controlling Parasites
Every October, stories of ghosts, vampires, and walking zombies fill our screens and books. Most people believe these creatures belong entirely to the world of folklore and spooky fiction. However, lurking in damp forests and beneath the forest floor are real-life creatures that can turn other living animals into genuine zombies. In the natural world, certain parasites have developed astonishingâand rather chillingâabilities to control the brains and bodies of their victims.
A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside another creature, known as the host, taking nutrients at the host's expense. While many parasites simply cause a mild illness or steal a bit of energy, some take things a step further. These specialized invaders actually hijack the central nervous system of their hosts, forcing them to behave in bizarre ways that help the parasite survive and reproduce.
One of the most famous examples is a tropical fungus known to scientists as Ophiocordyceps. This bizarre mold targets carpenter ants wandering on the floor of the rainforest. When a microscopic spore from the fungus lands on an ant, it burns through the insectâs outer shell and enters the bloodstream. Over the next several days, the fungus grows inside the ant's body, sending chemical signals straight to the insect's brain. Slowly, the ant loses control of its own movements.
- parasite:
- A living thing that survives by living on or inside another organism and taking nutrients from it.
- host:
- An animal or plant that another organism lives on or inside of.
- hijack:
- To take control of something that belongs to someone else by force.
- docile:
- Calm, gentle, and easily managed or led.
- terrestrial:
- Living on or relating to land rather than water or air.
- immune:
- Protected from or unable to be harmed by a specific disease or influence.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is a parasite, according to the passage?
- 2How does the fungus Ophiocordyceps enter a carpenter ant's body?
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About this informational passage for 5th Grade
âNature's Real Zombies: The Science of Mind-Controlling Parasitesâ is a informational reading passage about Parasites, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 4 minutes to read (661 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.