Which organism obtains nutrients from another living organism and harms its host?

Which organism obtains nutrients from another living organism and harms its host?

• A. Parasite
• B. Predator
• C. Saprophyte
• D. Mutualist

Answer: (A)

Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a living host and obtain nutrients from that host, typically causing some harm or disease in the process. This directly matches the scenario described: nutrients come from a living organism, and the host is harmed. A predator, by contrast, hunts and consumes prey, often killing it, but the relationship is about short-term feeding rather than living on the host. Saprophytes feed on dead organic matter, not a living host. Mutualists benefit from the relationship without harming the host.

Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a living host and obtain nutrients from that host, typically causing some harm or disease in the process. This directly matches the scenario described: nutrients come from a living organism, and the host is harmed. A predator, by contrast, hunts and consumes prey, often killing it, but the relationship is about short-term feeding rather than living on the host. Saprophytes feed on dead organic matter, not a living host. Mutualists benefit from the relationship without harming the host.