Eukaryotes: Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, and Helminths

These flashcards cover important vocabulary and concepts related to eukaryotic microorganisms, including fungi, protozoa, and helminths, based on the provided notes.

Helminths

Multicellular eukaryotic animals, common examples include flatworms and roundworms.

Mycosis

Any fungal infection in humans, can be systemic, subcutaneous, cutaneous, superficial, or opportunistic.

Protozoa

Unicellular eukaryotic organisms, many of which are heterotrophic and can cause diseases in humans.

Ciliates

Protozoa that use cilia for movement and food intake; Balantidium coli is the only known pathogenic ciliate.

Dimorphism

The ability of some fungi to grow in two different forms, typically as yeast at human body temperature and as mold at lower temperatures.

Sporangiospores

Asexual spores produced in a sporangium by certain fungi.

Conidia

A type of asexual spore produced by fungi, typically in chains from a conidiophore.

Fungi

Chemoheterotrophic organisms in the Fungi kingdom, mainly decomposers with multicellular structures.

Zygomycota

Phylum of fungi characterized by coenocytic hyphae and the production of zygospores during sexual reproduction.

Ascomycota

Phylum of fungi known for producing ascospores in a sac-like structure called an ascus.

Basidiomycota

Phylum of fungi that includes club fungi, known for producing basidiospores.

Euglena

A genus of euglenoids, flagellated microorganisms that can photosynthesize.

Toxoplasma gondii

An intracellular apicomplexan parasite that can cause serious health issues, especially in pregnant women.

Giardia intestinalis

Protozoan parasite that causes giardiasis, commonly transmitted via contaminated water.

Cryptosporidium

An apicomplexan parasite that infects the intestines, causing diarrhea and is resistant to many disinfectants.

Cestodes

Flatworms commonly known as tapeworms, which are intestinal parasites that absorb nutrients from their host.

Trematodes

Flatworms commonly known as flukes, which often have complex life cycles involving multiple hosts.

Nematodes

Roundworms that may be free-living or parasitic, with a complete digestive system.

Arthropod vectors

Animals, such as ticks and mosquitoes, that transmit pathogens to humans.

Opportunistic mycoses

Fungal infections that usually do not cause disease in healthy individuals but can cause serious illness in immunocompromised hosts.