Parasitism Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of parasitism?

One species benefits at the expense of another. (correct)

Both species are harmed during the interaction.

Neither species is affected by the relationship.

Both species benefit from the interaction.

Ectoparasites live inside their hosts.

False

What is an example of a roundworm that commonly infects humans?

Ascaris lumbricoides

Mistletoe obtains water and mineral nutrients from its ______.

host plants Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of parasites with their descriptions:

Ectoparasites = Live on or outside the host Endoparasites = Live inside the host Parasitic fungi = Extract nutrients from their host Roundworms = Common parasitic worms affecting various animals and humans Signup and view all the answers

What type of organism is typically harmed in a parasitic relationship?

The host Signup and view all the answers

Parasites usually kill their hosts.

False Signup and view all the answers

How is a roundworm infection typically contracted?

By ingesting food or water contaminated with fertilized eggs. Signup and view all the answers

Parasites can outnumber free-living species by about ______ to one.

four Signup and view all the answers

What can be a negative effect of parasitism on the host?

Impaired digestion Signup and view all the answers

What type of organism are roundworms and tapeworms categorized as?

Endoparasites Signup and view all the answers

Ectoparasites like fleas only feed from their hosts at specific times.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum?

malaria Signup and view all the answers

Lice can be treated with special ______ and lice combs.

shampoo Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of parasite with their description:

Fleas = Live all their lives on the host Ticks = Feed off the host intermittently Leeches = Drink blood until fully engorged Lice = Three types affect humans Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a commensal relationship?

Birds nesting in trees Signup and view all the answers

Parasites can infect both animals and plants.

True Signup and view all the answers

What do adult worms produce once they mature in the host's intestines?

fertilized eggs Signup and view all the answers

The parasite ______ is predominantly spread by mosquitos.

Plasmodium falciparum Signup and view all the answers

Match the following external parasites with their feeding behaviors:

Ticks = Feed on skin and fur Leeches = Attach and suck blood Lampreys = Attach with sucker mouth and feed on blood Fleas = Bite and suck blood continuously Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Parasitism

Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship where one species (the parasite) benefits, and the other (the host) is harmed.
The parasite lives on or in the host and usually feeds off it.
Parasites can be animals (e.g., tapeworms), insects (e.g., ticks), or fungi (e.g., some fungal species causing tinea or athlete's foot). They can also be plants (e.g., mistletoe).
Parasites don't always kill their host.
Some examples of parasites include: ticks, mistletoe, parasitic fungi, roundworms, fleas, and lice (body, head, and pubic).
Roundworms can affect pigs, cows, sheep, dogs, and humans.
Ascaris lumbricoides is a parasitic roundworm common in humans.
Roundworms and tapeworms are endoparasites found in the gut of mammals.
They get food from their host's partly digested food.
North American bighorn sheep are frequently parasitized by lungworms.
Lampreys attach themselves to their host's body and feed on the blood and tissues.
Plasmodium Falciparum is a single-celled parasite causing malaria; spread by mosquitoes.

Ectoparasites

Ectoparasites live on the outside of their host.
Examples include ticks, mistletoe, fleas, and lice.
Fleas live their whole life on a host, while ticks and leeches feed on their host at specific times.
Lice are treated with special shampoo and combs.

Endoparasites

Endoparasites live inside their host.
Examples include roundworms, tapeworms, and some fungi.
Roundworms and tapeworms live in the gut of mammals.

Mistletoe

Mistletoes are ectoparasites that grow on other plants.
They take nutrients and water from their host plant.

Roundworms

The Ascaris lumbricoides roundworm affects humans via the fecal-oral route.
Fertilized eggs are shed in human feces, and infection occurs when swallowed water or food is contaminated with eggs.
In humans, larvae hatch in the intestines, penetrate the bloodstream, and travel to the lungs.
Then they are coughed up, swallowed, and mature into adult worms in the intestines.

Commensalism

Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is not affected.
Animals like birds or possums nesting in tree hollows benefit, while the tree is unaffected.
Epiphytes (e.g., orchids, ferns, mosses, liverworts, and lichens) growing on trees benefit since they get sunlight and water. Trees are usually unaffected.
Remoras fish attach to larger predatory fish (e.g., sharks) to feed off uneaten food scraps. The shark is unaffected.
Barnacles attach to whales for free transport. The whale is unaffected.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of parasitism, where one species thrives at the expense of another. This quiz delves into the various types of parasites, their hosts, and the complexities of their relationships. Test your knowledge on examples, effects, and functions of parasitic organisms.