Define (i) saprophyte, and (ii) parasite. Name two saprophytes and two parasites.
Define (i) saprophyte, and (ii) parasite. Name two saprophytes and two parasites.
A saprophyte is an organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that lives on and gets its nourishment from dead organisms or decaying organic material. Saprophytes recycle organic material in the soil, breaking it down into simpler compounds that can be taken up by other organisms.
Ex. Moulds, Mushrooms, Indian pipe, gnome plant
The parasite is an organism that lives off or in another organism, obtaining nourishment and protection while offering no benefit in return. Human parasites are often harmful to the body and can cause diseases, such as trichinosis.
Ex. Corpse flower, Dodder, Dwarf mistletoe, Tapeworms, Fleas.
Parasite and saprophyte both are the organisms that follow the heterotrophic mode of nutrition i.e. they depend on obtaining nutrition/food from other organisms.
However, the difference is parasite follows the parasitic mode of nutrition i.e. they obtain nutrition by living on the body surface or inside the body of another type of organism (known as a host).On the other hand, saprophyte follows the saprotrophic mode of nutrition i.e. they obtain nutrition by feeding on decaying organic matter of dead plants and animals. ex Mushrooms
A saprophyte is an organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that lives on and gets its nourishment from dead organisms or decaying organic material. Saprophytes recycle organic material in the soil, breaking it down into simpler compounds that can be taken up by other organisms.
Ex. Moulds, Mushrooms, Indian pipe, gnome plant
The parasite is an organism that lives off or in another organism, obtaining nourishment and protection while offering no benefit in return. Human parasites are often harmful to the body and can cause diseases, such as trichinosis.
Ex. Corpse flower, Dodder, Dwarf mistletoe, Tapeworms, Fleas.
Parasite and saprophyte both are the organisms that follow the heterotrophic mode of nutrition i.e. they depend on obtaining nutrition/food from other organisms.
However, the difference is parasite follows the parasitic mode of nutrition i.e. they obtain nutrition by living on the body surface or inside the body of another type of organism (known as a host).On the other hand, saprophyte follows the saprotrophic mode of nutrition i.e. they obtain nutrition by feeding on decaying organic matter of dead plants and animals. ex Mushrooms
