Q.Give an account of various types of parasitism with examples.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Step 1. Parasitism is defined as an interaction between two species in which a smaller parasite draws food from a larger host, benefiting the parasite and harming the host, using specialised haustoria that penetrate the host's vascular tissue.
Step 2. Based on the host-parasite relationship, parasitism is classified into two types: holoparasitism and hemiparasitism.
Step 3. Holoparasites (total parasites) are entirely dependent on the host for their whole nutrition, having lost the ability to photosynthesise. Examples: Cuscuta, a total stem parasite found on hosts such as Acacia and Duranta, which even draws flower-inducing hormone from its host; and the total root parasites Balanophora, Orobanche and Rafflesia, found on higher plants.
Step 4. Hemiparasites (partial parasites) derive only water and minerals from the host while still photosynthesising their own food. Examples: Viscum and Loranthus, both partial stem parasites; and Santalum (sandalwood), a partial root parasite. …
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