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:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (B) and (D) only
(A) Host and parasite tend to co-evolve. — True. Each evolves in response to the other.
(B) Parasite have evolved elaborate nervous system for survival. — False. Parasites have lost unnecessary sense organs during evolution; they have no elaborate nervous system.
(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. — True. This is what co-evolution means.
(D) If the host evolves special mechanisms for rejecting the parasite, the parasite evolves to be successful in the another host species. — False. The parasite evolves to succeed with the same host species, not to move to another.
Note: The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it. Most CUET (UG) questions come straight from NCERT, so study the book line by line, including figures and their titles.