Question

State the difference between parasites and saprophytes?

Answer 1

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.