Which of the following is not a way a parasite can spend its life?

Options

A. Spend part of their life free-living
B. Live entire life within one host
C. Live their life within several hosts
D. Spend their entire life free-living

Answer

To determine which option is not a way a parasite can spend its life, we need to analyze each option provided:

1. **Spend part of their life free living**: Some parasites can exist in a free-living state during certain life stages. For example, certain larvae of parasites may live independently before infecting a host. This is a valid way for some parasites to spend their life.

2. **Live entire life within one host**: Many parasites are known to live their entire life cycle within a single host. For example, tapeworms can reside in the intestines of their host for their entire life. This is also a valid way for parasites to spend their life.

3. **Live their life within several hosts**: Some parasites can move between multiple hosts during their life cycle. For instance, certain types of flukes and protozoans can infect different hosts at different life stages. This is a valid way for parasites to spend their life.

4. **Spend their entire life free living**: This option suggests that a parasite can live its entire life without a host. However, by definition, parasites rely on hosts for survival and reproduction. Therefore, this option is not a way a parasite can spend its life.

Based on the analysis, the correct answer is:

**Spend their entire life free living.**