What can be concluded about the life cycle of a biological vector?

The life cycle of a biological vector is crucial in the transmission of parasites. A biological vector, such as a mosquito or tick, serves as a host in which a parasite undergoes essential developmental stages. This means that the vector not only provides a means for the parasite to be transmitted to a definitive host (often a human or another animal) but also allows the parasite to complete part of its life cycle within the vector itself.

For many parasites, the life cycle involves stages that can only occur inside a living host, and the biological vector is specifically adapted for this purpose. For example, in the case of malaria, the Plasmodium parasite undergoes reproduction and development within the mosquito before being passed on to humans. This relationship highlights the significance of biological vectors in the ecology of parasites and their role in disease transmission.

In contrast, other options do not accurately summarize the function of biological vectors. Disruption of human development does not pertain to the role of vectors, as their primary function is not to interfere with human development directly. The facilitation of dispersal of human populations is not a typical characteristic of vectors, as their role is more about transmitting pathogens rather than influencing human movements. Finally, biological vectors interact significantly with other organisms,