Ectoparasites And Endoparasites

Overview

Not every threat to a farm animal comes from a germ too small to see. Some threats are visible, crawling on the skin, and some hide deep inside the animal's own gut. A West African Dwarf goat rubbing itself raw against a fence post has a problem living on its skin. A sheep that eats well but grows thin and pale has a problem living inside its body. Both are parasites, and this lesson teaches you to tell the two kinds apart.

You will meet the ectoparasites that ride on the outside of the host, ticks, lice, mites, fleas and the tsetse fly, and the endoparasites that live within it, roundworms, tapeworms and liver flukes. You will trace how a roundworm completes its life cycle straight through the pasture, and how a liver fluke cannot complete its own without borrowing the body of a snail first. Finally you will learn exactly what damage each group does to the animal it lives on, the specific facts WAEC rewards with marks.

Objectives

  1. Define ectoparasites and endoparasites
  2. Give examples of ectoparasites of farm animals
  3. Give examples of endoparasites of farm animals
  4. Explain the life cycle of a named endoparasite
  5. State the damage caused by ectoparasites and endoparasites

Lesson Note

A herder near Jos notices his goats scratching against trees. His neighbour's cattle look untroubled outside, yet lose condition and pass watery dung. Two farms, two problems, both parasites. Knowing where a parasite lives is the first step to naming it and explaining its damage.

Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Ectoparasites And Endoparasites. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. Which of the following is an ectoparasite of farm animals? A. Roundworm B. Tapeworm C. Tick D. Liver fluke Answer: C
  2. Endoparasites are best described as parasites that live: A. On the surface of the skin only B. Inside the body of the host C. In the soil around the animal D. On the plants an animal eats Answer: B
  3. The intermediate host required in the life cycle of the liver fluke is a: A. Tick B. Snail C. Mosquito D. Housefly Answer: B
  4. Heavy infestation with a blood-sucking stomach roundworm such as Haemonchus chiefly causes: A. Improved weight gain B. Anaemia and poor growth C. Immunity to other diseases D. Increased milk fat content Answer: B
  5. The tsetse fly is of major economic importance to livestock keeping in Nigeria chiefly because it: A. Improves pasture growth B. Transmits trypanosomiasis (nagana) C. Is a source of protein for poultry D. Controls tick populations Answer: B

Past Questions

Wondering what past questions for this topic looks like? Here are a number of questions about Ectoparasites And Endoparasites from previous years

Question 1 Report

(a) Explain each of the following terms as used in the slaughtering of farm animals:
(i) scalding 
(ii) singeing:
(iii) evisceration.

(b) Name four agents involved in the marketing of farm animals and animal products

(c) State five marketing functions that could be performed to facilitate the sale of chicken and eggs.

(d) Name three stages in the life cycle of a roundworm.

(e) Mention two methods of animal improvement.