Question

MULTIPLE ANSWERS

Parasitism is important in evolution because:

1 the parasite must adapt to the host's defenses
2 the host must adapt to defend itself against the parasite
3 both the host and the parasite must adapt in order to survive
4 the parasite and the host must work together to survive
5 the parasite and the host need each other

Answer 1

5: the parasite and the host need each other

Answer 2

2 the host must adapt to defend itself against the parasite

3 both the host and the parasite must adapt in order to survive

Step-by-step explanation:

Parasitism is defined as an interaction where a parasitic organism obtains resources through one or several host individuals, causing damage and reducing their fitness. Thus, several strategies are needed to colonize the host since it is more advantageous for the host to stay alive and for the immune system to not detect the infection. These strategies may occur before, during and after entry into the host, and are adaptations developed over time that ensure reproductive success and perpetuation of parasite species.

The host, in turn, while not needing the parasite to survive, must adapt to the parasite or die. For this reason we can say that parasitism is important for evolution because:

• the host must adapt to defend itself against the parasite
• both the host and the parasite must adapt in order to survive