Animal Kingdom Question 370

Question: Parasites capable of living without a host are called

[Orissa JEE 2005]

Options:

A) Facultative

B) Permanent

C) Obligate

D) None of these

Show Answer

Answer:

Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Facultative means false and obligate means true.

So, those parasites which cannot survive without their host are called as obligate parasites, whereas, those parasites which can survive without a host are called facultative parasites.

Green plants in genera such as Rhinanthus and Colpoon can grow independently of any host, but they also act opportunistically as facultative root parasites of neighboring green plants.