What term refers to any plant or animal that is attacked by a parasite or parasite insect?

• A. Host
• B. Vector
• C. Pathogen
• D. Agent

Answer: (A)

In a parasite–host relationship, the organism that is being attacked and harmed by the parasite is the host. The host provides the resources the parasite needs, such as nutrients or shelter, so a turf grass plant or any animal that a parasitic insect or organism infests is the host. The parasite benefits at the host’s expense, which is the key idea behind this term.

Why the others don’t fit: a vector is an organism that transmits a pathogen from one host to another, but it is not the organism being parasitized itself. A pathogen is the disease-causing agent, such as a fungus or bacterium, not the host organism that is afflicted. An agent is a broad, non-specific term and doesn’t specify the role of being the organism that harbors the parasite.