External Parasites are organisms that live on or obtain their nutrients from another organism called a host. External parasites obtain nutrients from which source?

External Parasites are organisms that live on or obtain their nutrients from another organism called a host. External parasites obtain nutrients from which source?

• A. A host
• B. The air
• C. Water
• D. Soil

Answer: (A)

External parasites feed on living hosts, drawing nutrients directly from the host organism rather than from the surrounding environment. This means they rely on the host’s blood, tissue fluids, or cells to sustain themselves, which is why the nutrient source is the host. The air, water, and soil are just environments or media the parasite may inhabit or encounter, but they do not provide the nutrients the parasite needs in this relationship. For example, fleas and lice feed on the host’s blood, illustrating dependence on the host itself rather than on air or soil.

External parasites feed on living hosts, drawing nutrients directly from the host organism rather than from the surrounding environment. This means they rely on the host’s blood, tissue fluids, or cells to sustain themselves, which is why the nutrient source is the host. The air, water, and soil are just environments or media the parasite may inhabit or encounter, but they do not provide the nutrients the parasite needs in this relationship. For example, fleas and lice feed on the host’s blood, illustrating dependence on the host itself rather than on air or soil.