38.2k views
4 votes
What do you mean by parasitic nutrition? Explain by giving example?

2 Answers

2 votes

One type of food, called parasitic food, is a food in which the organism benefits at the expense of another organism known as the host. Parasites feed on or live in the host's body for food and other vital nutrients.

Tapeworms are a classic example of parasitic food. The digestive system of vertebrates, such as humans and animals, is home to segmented, flatworms called tapeworms. They have long, segmented bodies and heads with hooks and suction cups that attach to the lining of the host's stomach.

The meter-long tapeworms get their nutrients from the rotten food of their hosts.

User K J
by
8.6k points
1 vote

Answer:

Parasitic nutrition is a type of nutrition in which an organism, known as a parasite, obtains its food from another organism, known as the host. The parasite benefits from this relationship, while the host is harmed.

Parasites can be found in many different types of organisms, including animals, plants, and even bacteria. Some common examples of parasitic organisms include ticks, fleas, and tapeworms.

For example, the tapeworm is a type of parasitic flatworm that lives in the intestines of its host, which is usually a mammal such as a cow or pig. The tapeworm has a long, ribbon-like body that is made up of segments called proglottids, each of which contains both male and female reproductive organs. The tapeworm feeds on the nutrients that are absorbed by the host's intestines, and can grow up to several meters long.

Another example of parasitic nutrition is the relationship between the cuckoo bird and its host. The cuckoo lays its eggs in the nests of other bird species, such as the reed warbler. The cuckoo chick hatches first and pushes the warbler's eggs or chicks out of the nest, ensuring that it receives all of the food and attention from the host parents.

Overall, parasitic nutrition is a type of relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of another. Parasites have evolved a variety of strategies for obtaining the nutrients they need from their hosts, and can be found in a wide range of organisms in nature.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Willwill
by
7.9k points

No related questions found