1.

Polymorphism

In biology, polymorphism (from Greek: poly, meaning "many" and morph, meaning
"form") is a discontinuous genetic variation where two or more forms, stages, or types
exist in the same species within the same population. It can apply to biochemical,
morphological, and behavioral characteristics, but must be discontinuous. Thus, different
human blood types (A, B, AB, or O) and sexual dimorphism (male or female) are both
examples of polymorphism, but height differences are not, since they are not
discontinuous but continuous variations.

Some cnidarians are noted for their remarkable phenomenon of polymorphism. This is
associated with the division of labor. Theoretically, members of Cnidaria have life cycles
that alternate between two forms: Asexual polyps (generally sessile, with the body as a
vase shaped form), which are nutritive in function; and sexual, free-swimming forms
called medusae (singular medusa, the body in a bell-shaped form), which are
reproductive in function. In reality, not all cnidarians exhibit these two forms. The
Anthozoa (corals and sea anemones) live only as polyps and the Cubozoa (box jellyfish)
live only as medusa. Furthermore, the Scyphozoa (jellyfish) are mostly in the medusa
form.

Most hydrozoans (Hydrozoa), such as Obelia and Tubularia, do show dimorphism. But
the siphonophores (an order of Hydrozoa) like Physalia exhibit the highest degree of
polymorphism. They have three kinds of polyploids (namely gastrozooids for nutrition,
dactylozooids for defense, and gonozooids for the asexual production of medusae) and
four types of medusoids (namely pneumatophore for floating, nectophore for swimming,
phyllozooid for protection, and gonophore for bearing gonads).

2. Parasitism

Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species

where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host.

Parasitology is a type of SYMBIOSIS (="living together") (Any plant, animal, or protist

that is intimately associated with another organism of a different species; each member is
termed a SYMBIONT). There are various type of symbiosis:
 * PHORESIS ("traveling together" or "to carry") (A smaller organism, termed the
PHORONT, is carried mechanically by a HOST) [For instance, bacteria, fungus, cysts, or
eggs on insect legs or even passively within an arthropod gut]
* COMMENSALISM (when one symbiont, the COMMENSAL, benefits and the other
animal is neither helped nor harmed) [True commensalism difficult to find, and may not
even actually exist. Close inspections usually reveal either a mutualistic or parasitic
association. Perhaps Entamoeba gingivalis in mouth to some degree; some pilotfish and
remoras associated with sharks]
* MUTUALISM (each member, a MUTUALIST, depends upon the other; oblilgatory or
facultative) [many examples in nature. For instance, flagellates produce cellulase in gut
of termites; ciliates in ruminants; algae and fungus forming a lichen; crocodiles and
Egyptian teeth cleaning plovers]
* PREDATION (where one member, the PREDATOR, benefits and a smaller organism,
the PREY, is harmed; usually eaten) [This association is not usually considered a type of
symbiosis, but it technically falls under the definition]. Examples include coyotes and
rabbits, cats and mice.
* PARASITISM (where one member, the PARASITE, lives in or on another organism,
the HOST, at the expense of that organism)

* Basic types of parasitism and terminology

1. ECTOPARASITE (lives on surface of the host. Appropriate terminology includes the

terms "infected" and "infested") [i.e. ticks, lice, fleas]
2. ENDOPARASITE (lives within the host; appropriate terminology is "infected;"
infested is inappropriate terminology) [i.e. roundworms in gut; tapeworms in gut]
3. HYPERPARASITE (parasite within a parasite) [i.e. malaria in mosquitos; tapeworm
larvae in fleas]

* Types of hosts

1. DEFINITIVE OR FINAL HOST (host in which parasite reaches sexual maturity and
reproduces).
2. INTERMEDIATE HOST (some development in host, but does not reach sexual
maturity; often asexual stages).
3. PARATENIC OR TRANSPORT HOST (no parasite development; but parasite
continues to live and is infective to next host; for instance, pseudophyllidean tapeworm
larvae in fish).

2
 4. RESERVOIR HOST (non-human animals that serve as sources of infection to
humans).

3. Differences between male and female Ascaris

Male Female
Characters
Longer and stouter than
Smaller than female,
Size male, about 20-40 cm.
about 15-30 cm. long
long
Tail End Curved Straight

Opening at
Cloacal aperturue Anus
posterior end

Present at the cloacal

Pineal spicules Absent
aperture
Opens ventrally at
Reproductive
Opens in cloaca anterior one-third of the
openings
body
Pre-anal and post
anal papillae present
Anal papillae Not found
in front and behind
the cloacal aperture