All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Schistosomiasis, a common water contact disease, is spread by which of the following?

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2019 Home Science Question Paper (04-Dec-2019) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

Cercaria

Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by parasitic worms known as schistosomes. The disease is commonly spread in freshwater environments where certain species of snails act as intermediate hosts. The correct answer to the question of how Schistosomiasis is spread is "Cercaria." Here's a detailed explanation:

  1. Understanding Schistosomiasis:
    • Schistosomiasis is a water-borne parasitic disease caused by the trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma.
    • The disease primarily affects tropical and subtropical regions, especially in areas with poor sanitation and access to clean water.
  2. Transmission of Schistosomiasis:
    • The life cycle of the schistosome involves humans and freshwater snails. Humans are the definitive host, while snails act as the intermediate host.
    • When infected individuals urinate or defecate in freshwater, the eggs of the parasite reach the water, where they hatch into larvae known as miracidia.
    • These miracidia infect susceptible snails and undergo development in them, eventually transforming into another larval form called "cercariae."
  3. Role of Cercaria:
    • Cercariae are free-swimming larval forms that emerge from the snail intermediate host.
    • These cercariae have the ability to penetrate the skin of humans upon contact with contaminated water.
    • Once inside the human body, they develop into adult worms and cause the disease.
  4. Ruling Out Other Options:
    • Giardia: A microorganism causing giardiasis, primarily a water-borne intestinal disease, but unrelated to Schistosomiasis.
    • E. Coli: A bacterium that can cause foodborne illness but is unrelated to Schistosomiasis.
    • Amoeba: Parasitic protozoa causing amoebiasis, unrelated to Schistosomiasis.

Given the above explanation, cercariae are indeed the agents through which schistosomiasis is spread in humans. This makes "Cercaria" the correct choice.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Given below are two statements:
    Statement I: Some people suffer from what is called as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
    Statement II: SBS is caused due to supply of polluted water in a particular building.
    In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  2. Match List I with List II

    LIST I (Hazardous substance)LIST II (Specific effect)
    A. NeurotoxinsI. Substances that cause cancer.
    B. MutagensII. Substances that attack nerve cells. 
    C. TeratogensIII. Substances that damage or alter genetic material (DNA) in cells.
    D. CarcinogensIV. Substance that cause abnormality during embryonic growth and development.

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  3. Identify the correct group of disease caused by polluted water

  4. Assertion (A): Methemoglobinemia is a condition in which blood is not able to carry and deliver enough oxygen to the body.
    Reason (R): Consuming drinking water with high nitrate levels may cause methemoglobinemia.
    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:


Important Questions from Impact of Pollutants on Human Health

  1. Which of the following pollutants is included in the Air Quality Index in India?

  2. Blue-baby syndrome can happen due to the excess of which component in the water?

  3. Match List I with List II

    List I

    List II

    Emitted Pollutants

    Environmental Impact

    A. Carbon dioxide

    I. Formation of acid rain

    B. Carbon monoxide

    II. Toxic and are carcinogenic

    C. Nitrogen oxides

    III. Toxic and can cause

    respiratory diseases

    D. Benzene and

    hydrocarbon

    IV. Contribution to global warming

    as a Greenhouse gas

    Choose the correct answer from the option given below:

  4. Given below are two statements:

    Statement I: Dioxins and furans are highly toxic substances produced mainly during incineration of municipal solid waste, hazardous and medical wastes.

    Statement II: Dioxins and furans play a crucial role in photochemical smog formation.

    In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  5. Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R) :

    Assertion (A): Carbon monoxide (CO) is a serious asphyxiant even a short exposure may have fatal health issues.
    Reason (R): Hemoglobin present in the blood has a greater affinity towards carbon monoxide than oxygen.

    In the light of the above statements choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
CTET
September 06, 2026
MH SET
September 06, 2026
Test Series
UGC NET img
Teaching
UGC NET Library and Information Science 2024 - 2025 Mock Test Series
66 Tests 4 Tests Free
718 Attempts
4.4(17)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App