Which is an example of a parasite?

Which is an example of a parasite?

• A. Scabies
• B. Lice
• C. Ringworm
• D. Virus

Answer: (A)

Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host and derive nutrients at the host’s expense. Scabies fits this because it’s caused by a mite that lives on the skin, burrows into it, and feeds on tissue fluids, making it a classic example of a parasitic organism. Ringworm is a fungal infection, not a parasite in this context, since fungi are separate types of pathogens. A virus, while it requires a host to replicate, is an infectious agent rather than a living parasite in many nail- and skin-care curricula. Lice would also be parasites, but scabies is a straightforward, well-known skin parasite that you’re likely to encounter or recognize in practice.

Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host and derive nutrients at the host’s expense. Scabies fits this because it’s caused by a mite that lives on the skin, burrows into it, and feeds on tissue fluids, making it a classic example of a parasitic organism. Ringworm is a fungal infection, not a parasite in this context, since fungi are separate types of pathogens. A virus, while it requires a host to replicate, is an infectious agent rather than a living parasite in many nail- and skin-care curricula. Lice would also be parasites, but scabies is a straightforward, well-known skin parasite that you’re likely to encounter or recognize in practice.