Parasites require what for at least one stage of their life cycle?

Parasites are organisms that rely on a living host to complete at least one stage of their life cycle. This relationship is crucial for their survival, as parasites often need the nutrients, environment, and specific conditions provided by the host organism to develop and reproduce. During the parasitic stage, they may rely on a host for food and other necessary biological processes, which distinguishes them from other organisms that may thrive in non-living environments or independent settings.

In this context, while solid food sources and high temperatures may influence certain parasitic activities or survival rates, they do not encompass the essential requirement that a parasite has for a living host to thrive during its life cycle. Non-living environments are also unsuitable for parasites because they typically necessitate the biological functions and interactions found within a living organism to progress through their life stages effectively.