Final answer:
The statement " cuticle in parasitic organisms like Ascaris provides both physical protection against the host's digestion and aids in immune evasion through surface characteristics that prevent an effective immune response." is true
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is True. For a parasitic organism such as Ascaris, the selective advantage of a cuticle is indeed that it provides a protective measure against digestion from the host. The cuticle is a flexible but tough exoskeleton that contains a carbohydrate-protein polymer called chitin.
This cuticle protects the nematode not only from physical damage but also plays a critical role in aiding the parasite to evade the host's immune system, which is essential for the nematode's survival.
Parasitic roundworms like Ascaris spp. are encased in this cuticle, which offers them protection and support. Besides acting as a physical barrier, the cuticle can also play a role in immune system evasion by presenting surface characteristics that prevent an effective immune response, such as the expression of glycans that resemble molecules produced by host cells.