Question

Identify and comment upon Ascaris

Answer 1

Ascaris is a animal belonging to phylum aschelminthes

Answer 2

The identifiable features in Ascaris are as follows:

i)   Ascaris is also called roundworm. It is long and visible to the naked eye.

ii)    The body has pseudo segmentation and four longitudinal lines along the whole length.

iii)  Females are larger and stouter than males.

iv)   Posterior end of females is straight, and it is curved in males.

v)   Males have a pair of penial setae at the sub-terminal end.

Comments:

i)    Ascaris causes ascariasis which is a disease of poor hygiene or caused by eating contaminated food and drinks.

ii)   They are a common endoparasite of the human body and completes its life cycle in humans.

iii)   Disease by Ascaris infestation can be eliminated by oral medication, but certain complications in advanced stages of infection might need attention from specialist doctors.