Final answer:
The transmission of a parasite by a vector like a mosquito is classified as horizontal transmission, wherein the parasite moves from one host to another within the same species but not in a parent-offspring relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process where a vector, such as a mosquito, transmits a parasite, is known as horizontal transmission. This kind of transmission occurs when parasites are transferred between members of the same species that are not in a parent-offspring relationship. For instance, when a mosquito carrying Plasmodium falciparum — the parasite that causes malaria — bites a human, it injects the parasites into the human's bloodstream as part of the feeding process. This mode of transmission enables the parasite to move from one host to another, effectively spreading the disease. In contrast, vertical transmission occurs when pathogens are transferred from parent to offspring, such as from a pregnant woman to her fetus. For the given statement, the correct classification is: Horizontal transmission.
The statement "A vector, such as a mosquito, transmits the parasite" refers to horizontal transmission of a parasite. Horizontal transmission occurs when a parasite is transmitted between members of the same generation or between individuals of different species within the same population. In this case, the mosquito acts as a vector, carrying the parasite from one host to another.