Final answer:
The characteristic of a parasite that does not match is 'parasites are living organisms' because this statement is true but it's not exclusive to parasites; all pathogens, including parasites, are living organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of a parasite that does not fit is that parasites are living organisms. This is not a distinguishing characteristic because all parasites are indeed living organisms, which is a fundamental aspect of their definition.
Parasites exhibit a variety of relationships with their hosts. They may live on or in a host and they rely on the host for nutrients and often for reproduction. Parasites can be found in many forms across different kingdoms of life, including bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and animals like hookworms and tapeworms. Some parasitic relationships are so intricate that they involve complex life cycles with multiple hosts.
One key aspect of parasitism is that while the parasite benefits, the host is harmed. However, parasites typically do not kill their hosts immediately; this would be counterproductive as it could jeopardize the parasite's ability to reproduce. Over time, some parasites have evolved mechanisms to resist the natural defense processes of their hosts, allowing them to survive and thrive within or on their hosts. This symbiotic relationship is essential to the parasite's lifecycle.