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.

Identify the statements which are not true with respect to host parasite relationship.

(A) Host and parasite tend to co-evolve.

(B) Parasite have evolved elaborate nervous system for survival.

(C) If the host evolves to reject the parasite, the parasite also evolves to counteract them in order to be successful with the same host species.

(D) If the host evolves special mechanisms for rejecting the parasite, the parasite evolves to be successful in the another host species.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Options:

(A) and (B) only

(C) and (D) only

(B) and (D) only

(A) and (C) only

Correct Answer:

(B) and (D) only

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) –(B) and (D) only

The statement that is not true with respect to the host-parasite relationship is:

(B) Parasites have evolved elaborate nervous systems for survival.

Parasites generally do not have elaborate nervous systems. Instead, they have evolved various adaptations and strategies to exploit their hosts and obtain nutrients or other resources. These adaptations can include specialized structures for attachment, evasion of the host's immune system, and reproductive strategies. However, they do not typically possess complex nervous systems like many free-living organisms do.

(D) If the host evolves special mechanisms for rejecting the parasite, the parasite evolves to be successful in the another host species.

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.