Structural Pest Control Applicator Practice Exam

What are nematodes classified as?

1. Fungal growths on roots

2. Large insects

3. Tiny worm-like organisms

4. Small amphibians

The correct answer is: Tiny worm-like organisms

Nematodes are classified as tiny, worm-like organisms that belong to the phylum Nematoda. They are characterized by their elongated, slender bodies, which can vary in size from microscopic to several centimeters long. This unique structure allows them to inhabit a variety of environments, including soil, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Nematodes play significant roles in different ecological processes, including nutrient cycling and the control of pest populations in agricultural settings. Some nematodes are beneficial, used in biological pest control, while others may be parasitic to plants or animals, causing various diseases. The other classifications do not accurately describe nematodes. Fungal growths on roots may refer to pathogens or beneficial organisms like mycorrhizae, large insects are distinctly part of the class Insecta, and small amphibians are vertebrates that do not share any biological characteristics with nematodes. Thus, the classification of nematodes as tiny, worm-like organisms is correct and reflects their biological identity within the broader context of living organisms.