Final answer:
The statement is true: in a parasitic relationship, one organism (the parasite) benefits while the other (the host) is harmed. Parasites can weaken or kill the host, but typically this process is gradual to allow the parasite to reproduce.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: In parasitism, one organism benefits, and the other is harmed, either slightly or to such an extreme that the host will be killed. Parasitism is a form of symbiotic relationship where the parasite benefits at the expense of the host, which is harmed. While the parasite derives nutrients and sustenance from the host, it usually does not kill the host quickly. This is because a rapid death of the host would not allow the parasite sufficient time to complete its reproductive cycle and spread to another host. However, the host can be weakened significantly and can potentially be killed by the parasite if the infestation is severe enough. Moreover, many animal species are parasites at some stage in their life, and most are also hosts to one or more parasites.