Question

You are a wildlife ecologist interested in finding out if Toxoplasma gondii impacts the predator/prey relationship of the Canada lynx and snowshoe hare. If it does, which of the following would be true?

a. The parasite would affect the brain of the lynx.
b. The parasite would not affect the brain of the lynx or the brain of the hare.
c. The parasite would affect the brain of the lynx and the brain of the hare.
d. The parasite would affect the brain of the hare.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option d. The parasite would affect the brain of the hare.

Explanation:

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate parasite. It is one cell eukaryotic parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. It is very well known for its connection with the cats such as Canada lynx.

Canada lynx is a predator is from the cat family of animals that prey on the snowshoe hare. The connection between this predator and prey relationship. Parasite transmits from these cats to the hare and affect their brain.

Thus, the correct answer is option D. The parasite would affect the brain of the hare.