Paper II
2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Define intermediate host. Give two examples

Q112 marksShort Notes

Answer

The intermediate host is the host in which a parasite undergoes only asexual development or larval/immature stages — the sexual/mature stage occurs elsewhere, in the definitive host.

Two examples:

  1. Humans — the intermediate host for Plasmodium species (malaria), since only the asexual (schizogonic) cycle occurs in humans, while the sexual cycle occurs in the Anopheles mosquito (definitive host).
  2. Sheep/cattle (or humans, accidentally) — the intermediate host for Echinococcus granulosus, harbouring the larval hydatid cyst stage, while the dog (definitive host) harbours the adult tapeworm.

(Other valid examples: Cyclops — intermediate host for Dracunculus medinensis; pig — intermediate host for Taenia solium cysticercus.)

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