Which one of the following is most appropriately defined?
- Parasite is an organism which always lives inside the body of other organism and may kill it.
- Host is an organism which provides food to another organism.
- Amensalism is a relationship in which one species is benefited whereas the other is unaffected
- Predator is an organism that catches and kills other organism for food.
Answer
(4) Predator is an organism that catches and kills other organism for food.
Solution
(1) Ectoparasites (e.g. lice on humans) live on the body surface, so a parasite does not always live inside the host. (incorrect)
(2) A host provides both food and shelter to the parasite. (incorrect)
(3) As per NCERT, in amensalism one species is harmed whereas the other is unaffected; the given description is commensalism. (incorrect)
(4) A predator catches and kills another organism (prey) for food. (correct)
Answer: (4)