Parasites

Question 1

What three structural features aid Tapeworms in their survival?

Answer 1

1. Ribbon-like body (less than 10mm long)
2. Segmented body (Proglottids)
3. Head (scolex) of muscle containing suckers and hooks.

Question 2

Where do Tapeworms breed?

Answer 2

In animal muscle tissue

Question 3

What 7 factors help the survival of the tapeworm?

Answer 3

1. a means of penetrating the host
2. a means of attaching to the host
3. protection against the hosts immune system
4. only develop essential organs for survival
5. large egg production
6. an intermediate host
7. have resistant stages to overcome periods away from the host.

Question 4

Why do tapeworms have a thick cuticle?

Answer 4

To prevent digestion by enzymes

Question 5

Why do tapeworms have inhibitory substances?

Answer 5

To prevent digestion

Question 6

Why are tapeworms thin and long?

Answer 6

To create a large surface area to volume ratio

Question 7

How do tapeworms reproduce?

Answer 7

They contain both male and female sex organs

Question 8

Why do tapeworms have a large number of eggs?

Answer 8

To maximise reproduction rate

Question 9

What is the primary and secondary host for a tapeworm?

Answer 9

Primary hosts are humans

Secondary hosts are pigs

Question 10

What do the tapeworm larvae form in the pigs muscle?

Answer 10

Cysts

Question 11

How do tapeworm enter the secondary host, pigs?

Answer 11

Pigs ingest the tapeworm larvae which is found in infected human faeces

Question 12

How are the tapeworms passed from the pig to the human?

Answer 12

The cysts are ingested by humans when they consume undercooked pork, the larvae then attach to the intestine and mature.

Question 13

What 8 factors are specific to the environment the tapeworm live in do they need to be adapted to?

Answer 13

1. Lack of oxygen
2. Extremeties in pH
3. Digestive juices and enzymes
4. Peristaltic waves in the intestines (muscular motion)
5. Being washed away by the food or juices
6. Being attacked by the immune system
7. Not killing the host
8. Avoid competition

Question 14

Why do tapeworms have hooks and suckers on their scolex?

Answer 14

Allows for attachment to the gut wall which prevents them being swept through/ out of the body along with digestion.

Question 15

Why do tapeworms have a lack of circulatory, digestive and gas exchange organs/ system?

Answer 15

A simple organ system geared towards reproduction, allows for less complications and an achievement of purpose.

Question 16

Why do tapeworms have a long flattened body?

Answer 16

Their thin, long structure gives a large surface area to volume ratio for adsorption of pre-digested food from the host.

Question 17

Why do tapeworms have a body covered in cuticle and secreted anti-enzymes?

Answer 17

The cuticle and enzymes prevent digestion by host enzymes.

Question 18

Why do tapeworms have reproductive structures called proglottids?

Answer 18

It consists of many thin proglottids which maximise reproductive function

Question 19

Why do tapeworms have a larval stage?

Answer 19

Allows for easy, safe transportation into a secondary then primary host as the larval stage allows the tapeworm to burrow into the cell wall.