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The larvae of a tapeworm grow in the _______ tissues (as cysts) of the intermediate.

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Final answer:

The larvae of a tapeworm develop in the muscular tissues of the intermediate host, forming cysts called cysticerci. The pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, can lead to conditions like neurocysticercosis when cysts invade the CNS.

Step-by-step explanation:

The larvae of a tapeworm grow in the muscular tissues (as cysts) of the intermediate host. The life cycle of tapeworms involves the formation of larvae, known as cysticerci, which develop in the tissues of the intermediate host. Specifically, in the case of Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm, these cysts can be found within skeletal and smooth muscle tissues, and they can also invade the central nervous system (CNS), leading to serious health conditions such as neurocysticercosis.

As a part of their life cycle, tapeworms attach to the intestinal wall of the definitive host using structures called scolex. After the ingestion of eggs by the intermediate host, the oncospheres hatch and migrate to a particular tissue or organ, where they develop into cysticerci. If these cysticerci are consumed by the definitive host, they develop into adult tapeworms within the digestive system.

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