Question

In what respect a saprobic organism differs from a parasite?

Answer 1

Hint: The saprobic organisms, also referred as saprophytes, secretesome specific enzymes into the environment where they assist the conversion of organic matters into simpler constituents. The organisms further absorb these simpler products through the surface of their body. Usually, such type of nutrition is found in slime moulds.

Complete step by step answer:
The saprophytes are the type of organisms that receive their energy from the dead and decomposed organic matter. Some fungi are found to have parasitic action over living organisms, but most of them saprophytic in nature. Apart from the fungi many of the bacteria and protozoa also exhibit saprophytic actions. Most of the dead organic matters are ultimately fragmented down and used by the organism like fungi and bacteria. The saprophytes have exhibited significant activities and are very crucial for soil biology. They potentially breakdown the composite organic matter into simpler components which are further used by the plants for their different metabolic actions. In addition, few other organisms such as Yeast, Rhizopus and Mushroom exhibit saprophytic actions. The parasitic organisms include tapeworm, lices and others. They mostly depend upon the nutrition, which they absorb from the host body surface or from the internal organs of the body.
On the other hand, parasites are a type of organisms that survives on or within a host organism and acquires its nutrition from the host itself. Overall, the parasites are classified into three broad types including protozoans, helminths, and ectoparasites. They cause various types of diseases in humans.

Note:
The parasites are mainly of two types: Ectoparasites and Endoparasites. The ectoparasites are the types of parasites which survive superficially on hosts. Some examples of ectoparasites include fleas, head lices, etc. Some examples of endoparasite include hookworms. They affect humans by causing infections.