How do parasites exhibit the characteristics of living organisms?

Parasites exhibit the characteristics of living organisms through their ability to grow, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and evolve.

Parasites, like all living organisms, have the ability to grow and develop. This growth is often facilitated by the host organism, which provides the necessary nutrients and environment for the parasite to thrive. For instance, tapeworms, a type of parasite, can grow up to several metres long within the intestines of their host. They absorb nutrients directly through their skin from the host's digested food, allowing them to grow and develop.

Reproduction is another key characteristic of living organisms that parasites exhibit. Many parasites have complex life cycles that involve multiple hosts and stages of development. For example, the malaria parasite reproduces sexually in the mosquito and asexually in the human host. This ability to reproduce, often at a high rate, allows parasites to maintain their populations and spread to new hosts.

Parasites also respond to stimuli, another characteristic of living organisms. They can sense changes in their environment and react accordingly. For instance, many parasites are able to detect the presence of a potential host and will move towards it. Some parasites can even alter their host's behaviour to increase their own chances of survival and reproduction.

Finally, parasites exhibit the characteristic of evolution. Over time, they can adapt to their hosts and the host's immune system, developing resistance to treatments and finding new ways to infect and reproduce. This is seen in the way that many parasites have evolved complex life cycles and mechanisms of infection to ensure their survival and reproduction.

In conclusion, parasites exhibit the characteristics of living organisms in various ways. They grow and develop, reproduce, respond to stimuli, and evolve, all of which are key characteristics of life.