The Biological Importance of Ascaris in Biology

The ascaris is a large parasitic roundworm that can grow up to 50 cm in length. It is parasitic and lives in the intestines of humans. There are several important reasons for studying ascaris in biology.

Body Plan

• The body of an ascaris is easy to examine and dissect, as it is round and long with a mouth at one end, a digestive tract and an anus at the other. This worm allows students to view a digestive tract and learn about its functions.

Internal Body Cavity

• These roundworms show an advancement with an internal body cavity. The internal body cavity allows for the placement of organs, and provides an easy view for biology students when it is being dissected.

Importance for Humans

• The ascaris is a parasite that is ingested through fecal-contaminated food or objects. The eggs hatch in the intestines and the juveniles migrate to the blood and lungs, causing sickness. They later migrate back to the intestines where they mate. Studying the life cycle of the ascaris is important for scientists who are trying to prevent them.

Studying Meosis

• Studying meosis, or sexual reproduction, is easy to do in the eggs of the ascaris. Egg development occurs in the easy to find ovaries, and therefore is ideal for studying egg maturation.