State the difference between parasites and saprophytes?
Parasites:
Parasites are organisms that directly take nutrition from other organisms.
Saprophytes:
Saprophytes are organisms that feed on dead and decaying material.
S.no | Parasites | Saprophytes |
1. | Intracellular digestion can be seen. | Extracellular digestion can be seen. |
2. | It harms the organisms on which they feed. | It does not harm any organism while feeding. |
3. | These are mainly eukaryotic organisms. | These can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. |
4. | They are not helpful to the ecosystem. | As they decompose dead and decaying, they are an important link in the ecosystem. |
5. | Parasites depend on the host for nutrition. | Saprophytes are independent. |
6. | Examples, Pathogenic bacteria, human lice, etc. | Examples, Fungi, Saprophytic microbes. |