Parasites Are Good, Actually

The video explores the role of parasites in ecosystems, highlighting their diversity and ecological importance. Despite their negative impact on individual hosts, parasites help maintain ecosystem balance by controlling species populations. However, climate change and biodiversity loss threaten many parasite species, which could disrupt ecosystems. The video emphasizes the need for more research and conservation efforts to understand and protect these often-overlooked organisms.

What is a key reason for the decline in parasite populations as mentioned in the video?

• Overfishing

• Deforestation

• Climate change

• Increased pollution

How do parasites contribute to ecosystem stability?

• By increasing the population of their hosts

• By preventing any one species from becoming too dominant

• By reducing biodiversity

• By causing diseases in all species

What is one hypothesis about the evolutionary impact of parasites on their hosts?

• Parasites cause hosts to evolve more rapidly

• Parasites decrease the genetic diversity of hosts

• Parasites have no impact on host evolution

• Parasites make hosts more susceptible to diseases

Why is there a lack of long-term data on parasite populations?

• Parasites are too small to study

• Most studies focus on parasites affecting humans and domesticated animals

• Parasites are not considered important

• Parasites are too diverse to study

What did the 2023 study on museum fish specimens reveal about parasites?

• Parasites are evolving to require fewer hosts

• Parasite species requiring multiple hosts are declining

• Parasites are unaffected by climate change

• Parasite populations are increasing

What is a major challenge in conserving parasite species?

• Parasites are too dangerous to conserve

• Parasites are already well-protected

• Lack of public interest and awareness

• Parasites are not affected by environmental changes

What percentage of parasite diversity in the Puget Sound fish study was made up of species requiring multiple hosts?

• 90%

• 76%

• 60%

• 50%