A small projection from a parasitic fungus or plant that penetrates the host and absorbs food is a

A small projection from a parasitic fungus or plant that penetrates the host and absorbs food is a

• A. Haustorium
• B. Hypha
• C. Infestation
• D. Inflorescence

Answer: (A)

A haustorium is a specialized feeding projection used by parasitic organisms to extract nutrients from a host. It forms a small structure that penetrates host tissues and connects to its resources, allowing the parasite to absorb water, sugars, and other nutrients directly. Hyphae are the threadlike filaments that make up the body of a fungus; they spread and explore but do not by themselves constitute the nutrient-absorbing projection. Infestation refers to the presence or attack of pests, not a feeding structure, and inflorescence is the flowering part of a plant, unrelated to nutrient absorption.

A haustorium is a specialized feeding projection used by parasitic organisms to extract nutrients from a host. It forms a small structure that penetrates host tissues and connects to its resources, allowing the parasite to absorb water, sugars, and other nutrients directly. Hyphae are the threadlike filaments that make up the body of a fungus; they spread and explore but do not by themselves constitute the nutrient-absorbing projection. Infestation refers to the presence or attack of pests, not a feeding structure, and inflorescence is the flowering part of a plant, unrelated to nutrient absorption.