Drinking water is best made free of cyclops by –
The core concept here is water purification methods targeting cyclops. The correct method would be one that effectively removes or kills these organisms. Common methods include filtration, boiling, chlorination, and using larvicides. But which one is best?
The options aren't listed, so I need to infer possible choices. Let's think: common water treatment options include filtration, boiling, chlorination, and larvicides like temefos. Cyclops are small, so filtration might not be effective unless it's fine enough. Boiling would kill them, but maybe that's not practical for large-scale use. Chlorination can kill them if done properly. Temefos is a larvicide specifically used against cyclops in stagnant water, which is effective but might not be suitable for drinking water.
So the correct answer would likely be using a larvicide like temefos. Let me check why other options are wrong. Filtration might not remove all cyclops. Boiling is effective but not always feasible. Chlorination could work but requires proper concentration. Temefos is a specific chemical used in controlling cyclops in water sources, which is a high-yield fact for preventing Guinea worm. The clinical pearl here is that temefos is the recommended larvicide for this purpose.
**Core Concept**
Cyclops are copepod crustaceans that serve as intermediate hosts for *Dracunculus medinensis* (Guinea worm). Eliminating them from drinking water is critical to preventing dracunculiasis, a parasitic disease transmitted through contaminated water. Effective methods target cyclops directly or render water unsuitable for their survival.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Temefos, an organophosphate larvicide, is the most effective method for eliminating cyclops in stagnant water sources. It acts as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, disrupting neuromuscular function in cyclops, leading to their death. This chemical is safe for use in drinking water at recommended concentrations (0.5β1.0 mg/L) and is endorsed by the WHO for Guinea worm eradication programs. It is preferred over physical methods because cyclops are too small (1β2 mm) to be reliably removed by filtration or inactivated by boiling alone.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Boiling water* kills cyclops but is impractical for large-scale water treatment and does not prevent reinfestation.
**Option B:** *Chlorination* may reduce cyclops populations but is less effective than larvicides like temefos, which target them specifically.
**Option C:** *Filtration* fails to remove all cyclops due to their small size and ability to pass through coarse filters.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Temefos is the gold standard for cyclops control in drinking water. Remember: **"Temefos = Cyclops killer for Guinea worm prevention."** Avoid using larvicides in flowing water, as they may harm