Echinococcus granulosus
A Parasitic Tapeworm
Nutrition
As you can imagine, like most aspects of a parasites
life, nutrition is something that is intimately related to
the host organisms. All nutrients taken in by the
adult form of E. granulosus are nutrients that are
passing through the small intestine of the definitive host.
As you may have noticed by learning about the habitat and
nutrition of E. granulosus the
parasitic lifestyle dictates
many aspects of the organisms life.
E. granulosus, just like all other platyhelminthes,
have adapted to become surface area specialists. The
increased amount of surface area as well as the decreased
volume of the flatworms allows for a very specific and
unique process for nutrient acquisition. All nutrients
are absorbed through the tegument, or the protective outer
cover of this organism. The very small volume compared
to surface area allows the nutrients to travel to every cell
throughout the body by simple diffusion. By relying on
diffusion, it allows E. granulosus to not rely on a
complete digestive system.
The development of a large surface area to volume ratio is
just one of the many adaptations
of E. granulosus.