Question

The two intermediate hosts in the lifecycle of the human liver fluke are ______A_______ and _____B______.

• A. A - snail, B - fish
• B. A - snail, B - mosquito
• C. A - pig, B - mosquito
• D. A - pig, B - housefly

Answer 1

The correct option is A A - snail, B - fish

Parasitism is a type of population interaction between two living species in which one organism (the parasite) lives and derives nutrition from another specific organism (the host).

The liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) is an endoparasitic organism that lives in the liver of humans and causes disease. Humans are one of the definitive hosts of the liver fluke as it harbors the adult parasite that reproduces sexually. Intermediate hosts are the ones that harbor the larval stage or the asexual forms of the parasite. Liver fluke requires two different intermediate hosts - snail and fish- in addition to a definitive host.

Mosquitoes and houseflies act as vectors that transmit disease-causing pathogens to humans. Mosquitoes are vectors for malaria while houseflies are known to transmit cholera.

Uncooked or improperly cooked contaminated pork (meat of pig) can transmit tapeworm (Taenia solium), which causes taeniasis in human beings. Digestive problems including abdominal pain, loss of appetite etc. are some symptoms of this disease.