Describe the adaptations of Schistosoma spp to their parasitic mode of life - KCSE Biology Essays

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Describe the adaptations of Schistosoma spp to their parasitic mode of life
The parasite utilizes two hosts; the snail and humans; to increase chances of transfer of the parasite from one place to another;
Have suckers for attachment to host walls; to prevent them from being dislodged;
The parasite produces many larval forms (e.g. miracidia, cercariae and redia) in snails; to increase chances of transmission and survival; as this feature poses barriers/difficulties in efforts aimed at eradicating the parasite;
Cercariae larvae and eggs of the parasite have glands that secrete lytic enzymes; which soften the tissues of humans/snails; to allow for penetration;
Chemical substances produced by the adult worm; protects the parasite from the action of the hosts’ defense mechanisms;
They exist as separate sexes; with the male carrying the female; this ensures that eggs produced by the female are fertilized before being shed into the blood stream;
Outline five measures that can be employed to prevent and control the spread of the parasite
Proper disposal of human waste; urine and faecal material should not be disposed in water bodies to avoid contamination by the eggs or adult worms;
Drainage of stagnant water pools and use of molluscides to kill the intermediate hosts (snails);
Avoid swimming/bathing in snail-infested water bodies;
Wearing protective clothing such as gloves and gumboots when working or walking in swampy areas;
Personal hygiene that includes washing hands after visiting the toilet and drinking of boiled or chemically treated water to kill the eggs and the larval forms in the water;
proper treatment of infected persons;