Question

review it!
select the statement(s) that accurately describe how parasitism affects populations within the ecosystem.
parasites and hosts coexist. this means that neither population is harmed in this relationship.
parasites gain nutrition from their host. this means that the host will eventually be harmed or may die. this negatively affects the host population.
parasites do not affect the host at all. the host is simply a home for a parasite and provides the parasite a way to increase their population.
parasites can affect plant, animal, and insect populations.
parasites gain nutrition from their host. this steady food supply can help the parasite population grow.

Explanation:

• Parasitism is a relationship where one organism (parasite) benefits at the expense of another (host).
• In parasitism, the parasite gains nutrition from the host. This can harm the host (so the host population is negatively affected) and the parasite's population can grow due to the nutrition source.
• Parasites can target various organisms like plants, animals, and insects.
• The first statement is wrong as in parasitism the host is harmed. The third statement is wrong as parasites do affect the host (negatively).

Answer:

• B. Parasites gain nutrition from their host. This means that the host will eventually be harmed or may die. This negatively affects the host population.
• D. Parasites can affect plant, animal, and insect populations.
• E. Parasites gain nutrition from their host. This steady food supply can help the parasite population grow.