Which of the following statements regarding tapeworms is...

Which of the following statements regarding tapeworms is false?
a) They absorb nutrients from the host through their body wall.
b) They complete their life cycles in a single host.
c) They are hermaphroditic.
d) They cannot be transmitted from human to human.

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Key Concepts

Transmission Mechanisms

Transmission of tapeworms generally occurs when a host ingests eggs or larvae, often through contaminated food or water. Direct human-to-human transmission is uncommon because the parasite's life cycle typically requires passage through specific intermediate hosts.

Hermaphroditism

Tapeworms are hermaphroditic, meaning each individual has both male and female reproductive organs. This characteristic allows them to increase the chances of successful reproduction once inside a host.

Tapeworm Life Cycle

The life cycle of tapeworms is typically complex and often involves more than one host. They usually require an intermediate host for the larval stage and a definitive host for the adult stage, making a single-host life cycle an inaccurate description.

Tapeworm Anatomy and Nutrient Absorption

Tapeworms are flatworms that lack a traditional digestive system; instead, they absorb nutrients directly through their body wall from the host's digested food. This adaptation is key for their survival as parasites within the host's intestinal tract.

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