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Multiple Choice
Which of the following groups can include organisms that act as parasites?
A
Protozoa, fungi, and multicellular organisms
B
Only plants and algae
C
Only single-celled organisms
D
Only bacteria and viruses
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of parasitism: Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host organism and derive nutrients at the host's expense. Parasites can belong to various biological groups, including protozoa, fungi, multicellular organisms, bacteria, and viruses.
Analyze the first option: Protozoa, fungi, and multicellular organisms. Protozoa (e.g., Plasmodium causing malaria), fungi (e.g., Candida), and multicellular organisms (e.g., tapeworms) are known to include parasitic species.
Evaluate the second option: Only plants and algae. While some plants (e.g., mistletoe) can act as parasites, algae are generally not parasitic. This option is too restrictive and excludes other parasitic groups.
Examine the third option: Only single-celled organisms. This option excludes multicellular parasites like worms and fungi, which are known to act as parasites. Therefore, it is not accurate.
Assess the fourth option: Only bacteria and viruses. While bacteria (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and viruses (e.g., influenza virus) can act as parasites, this option excludes other parasitic groups like protozoa, fungi, and multicellular organisms, making it incomplete.