Example of Parasitism:
The Relationship between a Tapeworm and a Human
* Parasite: Tapeworm (specifically, *Taenia saginata* or *Taenia solium*)
* Host: Human
How it Works:
1. Infection: A human ingests undercooked meat (beef or pork) containing tapeworm larvae (cysticerci).
2. Maturation: The larvae mature into adult tapeworms in the human's intestines.
3. Feeding: The tapeworm attaches to the intestinal wall and absorbs nutrients from the host's digested food.
4. Reproduction: The tapeworm produces eggs that are passed in the host's feces.
5. Spread: The eggs can contaminate food and water, infecting other humans or animals.
Effects on the Host:
* Nutritional Deficiencies: Tapeworms can absorb large amounts of nutrients, leading to malnutrition and weight loss in the host.
* Gastrointestinal Issues: Tapeworms can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
* Other Complications: In some cases, tapeworms can migrate to other organs, leading to more serious health problems.
Key Features of Parasitism:
* One organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another organism (host).
* The parasite lives in or on the host.
* The parasite relies on the host for survival.
Conclusion:
The relationship between a tapeworm and a human is a classic example of parasitism. The tapeworm benefits by obtaining food and shelter from the human host, while the human suffers from nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal issues, and other complications.