Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Organisms and Populations

Question:

Read the given paragraph and answer the given question :

Parasitism has evolved in many taxonomic groups from plants to higher vertebrates. Many parasites have evolved to be host specific in such a way that both host and the parasite tend to co-evolve. In accordance with their life styles, parasite evolve special adaptations and complex life cycle.

What are the intermediate hosts for human liver fluke?

Options:

Snail and Fish.

Snail and fresh water mussel

Fish and Man

Snail and Man

Correct Answer:

Snail and Fish.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (1) – Snail and Fish.

Many parasites have evolved to be host-specific (they can parasitise only a single species of host) in such a way that both host and the parasite tend to co-evolve; that is, if the host evolves special mechanisms for rejecting or resisting the parasite, the parasite has to evolve mechanisms to counteract and neutralise them, in order to be successful with the same host species.

In accordance with their life styles, parasites evolved special adaptations such as the loss of unnecessary sense organs, presence of adhesive organs or suckers to cling on to the host, loss of digestive system and high reproductive capacity.

The life cycles of parasites are often complex, involving one or two intermediate hosts or vectors to facilitate parasitisation of its primary host. The human liver fluke (a trematode parasite) depends on two intermediate hosts (a snail and a fish) to complete its life cycle. The malarial parasite needs a vector (mosquito) to spread to other hosts.