Question

What are ectoparasites and endoparasites? List any three parasite adaptations.

Answer 1

Hint: Parasites are the organism which lives in the body of other organisms and benefits by taking its food,shelter and in turn infects the organism.

Complete answer:
The body in which the parasite lives is called the host. There are various infections caused by parasites namely giardis, trichomoniasis etc. there are two types of parasites: ectoparasites and endoparasites.
Ectoparasites: the parasites that live outside the body are ectoparasites. They can be aerobic and anaerobic. They usually live on skin, hair and nails. They cause rashes, redness and itching. For example: head lice
Endoparasites: the parasites that live inside the body are endoparasites. They are anaerobic. They live in the blood, intestine, nervous system, liver, digestive system and sometimes in the brain. Pinworms, hookworms and roundworms are common examples.

In order to survive inside the human host, parasites undergo various changes and modifications. These are called parasitic adaptations. Any three adaptations are as follows:
1.Parasites have a very high reproductive capacity. When they enter the host, they reproduce rapidly and lay more eggs.
2.They have adapted suckers and hooks which help them to cling inside the host body. Example: tapeworm
3.When parasites enter the host body, they feed on the digested food of the host. Their own digestive system is no longer used. As a result, it gets eliminated as the parasite grows.

Note: The relationship between parasite and host can be neutral, in which no one gets benefit. Sometimes, only the parasite benefits. The host never benefits from the parasite. Either it is harmed or neutral.