2.6 Adaptations for Parasitism

Question 1

What are parasites?

Answer 1

Organisms that live in or on another organism, called a host, and obtain nourishment at the expense of the host.

Question 2

Where do pork tapeworms (/Taenia solium/) live?

Answer 2

Inside the gut.

Question 3

What is the life cycle of a tapeworm?

Answer 3

Pig killed for meat, proper cooking will kill a cyst but if one is found by meat inspectors then the meat goes to pet food.
If undercooked the cyst developes in the small intestine
It has a thick cuticle so is resistant to stomach acid and digestive enzymes.
It absorbs pre-digested food (large SA:v).
Scolex (made of hooks and suckers) latches the tapeworm to the wall of the intestine so peristalsis won’t dislodge it.
Hermaphroditic - both sexes at the same time
Eggs break off the body and leave the human body in the faeces.
Eggs are released into the water system / environment and used as fertiliser.
Eaten by a pig and hatch in the meat to start the cycle again