Question

The difference between a parasitoid and a parasite is:

Select one:
a. parasitoids only live inside a host's body while parasites only live on the outside of a host's body
b. parasitoids always kill their hosts while parasites usually do not harm their hosts
c. parasites only live inside a host's body while parasitoids only live on the outside of a host's body
d. during their life parasitoids change hosts while parasites live only in or on one host for their entire life
e. parasitoids usually live in small mammals while parasites live in both large and small insects

Answer 1

Parasitoids always kill their hosts while completing their lifecycle, whereas parasites usually weaken but do not immediately kill their hosts to support their reproductive cycle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference between a parasitoid and a parasite is that parasitoids always kill their hosts while parasites usually do not harm their hosts. Parasites, such as hookworms, may live either inside or on the surface of their host, weaken them by siphoning nutrients, but typically do not kill the host quickly to allow time to complete their reproductive cycle. In contrast, parasitoids, like certain wasps, will often lay their eggs inside or on their host, and when the eggs hatch, the emerging larvae consume and inevitably kill the host.