Question

An organism which breaks down the food material outside the body and then absorbs it is:

• A. Bread mould
• B. Cuscuta
• C. Lice
• D. Tapeworm

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the process of external digestion:
In nature, some organisms engage in external digestion, a process where they secrete digestive enzymes into their surroundings to break down food material before absorbing the nutrients. This process allows the organism to digest food outside its body and then absorb the smaller, digestible nutrients.

Step 2: Identifying the correct organism:
The organism in question here is a type of fungus known as bread mould, which belongs to the genus Rhizopus. Bread mould breaks down the food material (such as bread) outside its body. It secretes enzymes onto the bread, which break down the complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. After the breakdown, the mould absorbs the simpler nutrients through its hyphae.

Step 3: Conclusion:
The correct answer is bread mould, which is an example of a saprotrophic organism that uses external digestion. Bread mould is often found on decomposing organic matter like bread and other food products. It plays a significant role in the decomposition of organic material, making nutrients available to other organisms in the ecosystem.