Protozoa

Flashcards based on lecture notes about Protozoa, covering their characteristics, classification, and examples.

What domain do protozoa belong to?

Eukaryotic

Are protozoa unicellular or multicellular?

Unicellular

What is a primary characteristic of most protozoa?

Independent movement

Can most protozoa perform photosynthesis?

No

Which genus of protozoa is known for both motility and photosynthesis?

Euglena

How do most protozoa reproduce?

Asexually

Are most protozoal species aerobic or anaerobic?

Aerobic

Where can anaerobic protozoa be found?

Human intestine and animal rumen

Where are protozoa typically located?

Most moist habitats

What role do some protozoa play in aquatic ecosystems?

Zooplankton

What are the two forms that many protozoa alternate between?

Trophozoite and cyst

What is the free-living, vegetative form of a protozoan called?

Trophozoite

What is the resting form of a protozoan called?

Cyst

What is the function of contractile vacuoles in protozoa?

Remove excess water

How do protozoa obtain food particles?

Phagocytosis

What are the three types of locomotor organelles in protozoa?

Flagella, cilia, and pseudopodia

Which two phyla contain the most important protozoa causing human disease?

Sarcomastigophora and Apicomplexa

Which kingdom do all protozoal species belong to?

Protista

How are protozoa primarily classified?

By how they move

What is the primary characteristic of protozoa in the Phylum Mastigophora?

Having one or more flagella

How do Mastigophora generally reproduce?

Fission

Which flagellated organism also has chlorophyll pigments for photosynthesis?

Euglena gracilis

What illness does Giardia lamblia cause?

Giardiasis (intestinal distress)

What disease does Trichomonas vaginalis cause?

Trichomoniasis (sexually transmitted disease)

What is the term for trypanosomes that require more than one obligatory host?

Heteroxenous

How are trypanosomes transmitted?

Via a vector, usually blood-feeding invertebrates/insects

What are trypanosomes also called?

Hemoflagellates (blood parasites)

What disease is caused by Trypanosoma brucei?

Sleeping sickness

How is Trypanosoma brucei transmitted?

Tsetse fly

What disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi?

Chagas disease

How is Trypanosoma cruzi transmitted?

Kissing bug

What disease does Leishmania donovani cause?

Kala-azar or black disease

How is Leishmania donovani transmitted?

Sand fly

What is the primary characteristic of protozoa in the Phylum Sarcodina (Rhizopoda)?

Move by pseudopodia (amoebas)

How does asexual reproduction occur in Sarcodina?

Fission of the cell

Which two marine groups are included in Sarcodina?

Foraminiferans and radiolarians

What disease does Entamoeba histolytica cause?

Amoebic dysentery

How is Entamoeba histolytica typically contracted?

Contaminated water

What is the active or vegetative stage of Entamoeba histolytica?

Trophozoite

What does the trophozoite form of Entamoeba histolytica form to infect another host?

Quadrinucleate cystic stage

Where is Entamoeba gingivalis found?

Mouth

What condition can Entamoeba gingivalis cause?

Gingivitis

Is Entamoeba coli a harmful or harmless inhabitant of the colon?

Harmless inhabitant

What diseases do Acanthomoeba and Naegleria fowleri cause?

Meningoencephalitis

Where do Acanthamoeba species typically inhabit?

Soil and water

What is the source of Acanthamoeba keratitis in contact lens wearers?

Contaminated lens-cleaning solution

Where do amebas of the genus Naegleria inhabit?

Bodies of fresh water

What is the primary characteristic of protozoa in the Phylum Ciliophora?

Move by means of cilia

What type of reproduction may be used by Ciliophora?

Conjugation

How do Ciliophora propel themselves?

Rows of cilia vibrate in synchrony

What is Paramecium known for?

Ability to conjugate and exchange genetic material

What human disease is Balantidium coli responsible for?

Attacks the intestinal epithelium resulting in ulcer formation which causes bloody diarrhea similar to that of amoebic dysentery

What is the key characteristic of protozoa in the Phylum Apicomplexa?

Apical complex present at some stage and are parasitic.

What other name is the Phylum Apicomplexa known as?

Sporozoa

Do members of the phylum Apicomplexa have means of locomotion in the adult form?

No

What disease does Pneumocystis carinii cause?

Sometimes-lethal pneumonia in AIDS patients

Give an example of an Apicomplexa?

Cryptosporodium parvum

What disease does Toxoplasma gondii cause?

Toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patient

What is the plasmodium known best for?

The infection it causes, malaria.

What is the vector for all Plasmodium species causing malaria in humans?

Mosquito species of the genus Anopheles

To what group are Microsporidia now known to belong?

Fungi, or a sister group to fungi

Are Microsporidia restricted to plant or animal hosts?

Animal hosts

Describe the trophozoite stage.

The feeding and growing stage of a protozoa.

What's the purpose of the protozal cyst?

To resist harsh conditions.

What disease does Plasmodium falciparum cause?

malaria

What type of protozoa is Trypanosoma?

Flagellate

What's the vector for Leishmania donovani?

Sand Fly

What phylum is Paramecium classify under?

Ciliophora

What does Heteroxenous mean?

It requires more than one obligatory host to complete its life cycle.

What locomotion mechanism does the Phylum Sarcodina have?

Pseudopodia

What method of locomotion does Euglena use?

Flagella

What is the other name for the Phylum Sarcodina?

Rhizopoda

What type of reproduction do cilliates often use?

Conjugation

What is the vector for Plasmodium?

Anopheles Mosquito

What does the Apical Complex of the Apicomplexa consist of?

polar ring/micronemes

What's the diagnostic stage of Protozoa Plasmodium species?

Gametocytes

What's the infective stage of Protozoa Plasmodium species?

Sporozoites

What disease does Acanthamoeba cause?

Eye-threatening corneal ulcers

What is the main purpose of food vacuoles?

To ingest food particles