Question

Select the statement(s) that accurately describe how parasitism affects populations within the ecosystem.

Parasites gain nutrition from their host. This steady food supply can help the parasite population grow.

Parasites can affect plant, animal, and insect populations.

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 and hosts coexist. This means that neither population is harmed in this relationship.

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.

Answer 1

Correct statements: 1, 2, and 3.

Brief notes:
- Parasites obtain nutrients from hosts, which can support parasite population growth.
- Parasites infect plants, animals, and insects.
- Parasitism reduces host fitness (harm, disease, sometimes death), which can lower host population levels.

Statements 4 and 5 are incorrect — those describe relationships where the host isn’t harmed (commensalism), not parasitism.