Module 5

Microbial Diversity: Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes

Contain several membrane-bound organelles and a dedicated nucleus.

Algae

These are photosynthetic, eukaryotic organisms. Together with protozoa, they are classified in the second kingdom Protista of the Five-Kingdom System of Classification.

Phycology

It is the study of algae

Protothecosis

It is caused by **Algae prototheca**. A rare infection that is characterized as small subcutaneous lesions that can progress to crusty, wart-like lesions.

Phycotoxins

Substances released by algae that may cause harm to humans and animals.

Chlorophyll

It is a pigment found in green algae

Xanthophyll

It is a pigment found in brown algae and is predominantly marine.

Carotenoids

It is a pigment found in yellow-orange algae

Phycobilins

It is a pigment found in red or blue algae

Protozoa

They have animal-like characteristics. These are eukaryotic organisms that are unicellular and free-living organisms in soil/water.

Protozoology

It is the study of protozoa

Pellicles

Thickened cell membrane which serves as the same purpose as a cell wall. Protozoa do not possess cell wall.

Cytostome

It is a primitive mouth of opening

Pinocytosis

It refers to the taking in of fluids and solutes. It pinches off from the cell membrane and becomes a smaller vacuole.

Phagocytosis

It refers to the taking in of larger substances. It engulfs or eats through the flexible portion of the cell membrane.

Trophozoite Stage

It is the part of the protozoan life cycle where the protozoa are motile, feeding, and dividing.

Cystic Stage

It is the part of the protozoan life cycle where the protozoa are non-motile. dormant, and in the survival stage.

Pseudopodia

It is a cytoplasmic extension which allows amoebas to move.

Ameboid movement

The movement wherein the ameba extends its pseudopodium in the direction it intends to move and the rest of the cell slowly flows into it.

Amoebiasis/Amoebic Dysentery

It is caused by **Entamoeba histolytica.** It can be transmitted through contaminated human feces and it can also cause extraintestinal amebic abscess.

Balantidium coli

It is a pathogenic ciliate that causes dysentery. It can be transmitted from drinking water that has been contaminated by animal/swine feces.

Balantidiasis

It is the common cause of dysentery in underdeveloped countries.

African sleeping sickness

It is caused by **Trypanosomabruceli** and transmitted by tsetse fly.

American trypanosomiasis

It is caused by **Trypanosoma cruzi**

Trichomoniasis

It is caused by **Trichomonas vaginalis**. It is characterized by itching, burning, soreness of the genitals, and discomfort in urination.

Giardiasis

It is caused by **Giardia lamblia.** It can give diarrheal episodes and stomach cramps.

Chaga’s disease

It is caused by **Trypanosoma cruzi** AKA **kissing bugs.** It has flu-like symptoms, fatigue, body ache, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, enlarged glands, and signs of inflammatory process.

Sporozoa

These are non-motile protozoa

Cryptosporidiosis

It is caused by **Cryptosporidium parvum**. It is found in contaminated food and water and characterized by watery diarrhea and common to patients with AIDS.

Babesiosis

It is caused by **Babesia spp.** It is an infection caused by an infected deer tick, carried through contaminated blood transfusion. Characterized by malaria-like, rare, and life-threatening infection of the RBC.

Cyclosporiasis

It is caused by **Cyclospora cayetonensis.** Characterized by watery stools or diarrhea. It can be acquired from consuming contaminated food and water.

Toxoplasmosis

It is caused by **Toxoplasma gondii.** Transmitted by eating undercooked contaminated meat, cat feces, and placental transmission during pregnancy. It has flu-like symptoms.

Malaria

It is caused by **Plasmodium malariae**, **falciparum**, **ovale.** Acquired from female anopheles mosquito

Fungi

They have a kingdom all by themselves under the Five-Kingdom System of Classification. They are not plants nor animals. They are unable to produce their own food due to the absence of chlorophyll'; they only absorb nutrients from other organisms.

Mycology

It is the study of fungi.

Saprophytic fungi

It is a type of fungi the lives on organic matter in water and soil.

Parasitic fungi

It is a type of fungi the lives on and within animals and humans.

Beneficial fungi

These are important in the production of cheeses, beer, wine, and other foods as well as certain drugs and antibiotics.

Hyphae

\

These are the thread-like structures that make up the body of a fungus. They are responsible for the absorption of nutrients and the growth of the fungus.

Septate hyphae

Type of fungal hyphae with cross-walls called septa, dividing the hyphae into distinct cells. These septa have pores that allow for the movement of nutrients and organelles between cells.

Aseptate hyphae

Type of fungal hyphae that lack cross-walls or septa, resulting in a continuous cytoplasmic flow throughout the filament.

Lower Fungi

They do not have septate or septal pores

Zygomycotina

Common bread molds that causes food spoilage

Chytridiomycota

At times considered as “not true fungi”. They commonly live in water and soil.

Higher Fungi

They have septate or septal pores.

Ascomycotina

Phylum of fungi characterized by sac-like structures called asci that produce spores. Includes yeasts, truffles, and morels.

Basudiocytomina

A rare type of tumor that affects the basal cells in the salivary glands. It can cause swelling, pain, and difficulty in swallowing. Includes large fleshy fungi.

Deutoromycotina

Fungi with no mode of sexual reproduction. Also known as fungi imperfect.

Yeast

It is a eukaryotic single-celled organism that lack mycelia.

Blastospores

It is an individual-celled yeast. They reproduce by budding, but occasionally by spore formation.

Chlamydospores

Thick-walled, spore-like structures found in soil, water, skin of plants, and vegetables.

Saccharomyces verevisae

It is **Baker’s yeast**. It ferments sugar to alcohol under anaerobic conditions.

Candida albicans

The most frequently isolated yeast/fungi in human specimens. An opportunistic yeast that lives harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract.

Cycocutus neoforman

Human disease-causing fungi.

Molds

Multicellular fungi that grows hyphae

Aerial hyphae

Hyphae extend above the surface of whatever the mold is growing on.

Vegetative hyphae

Hyphae beneath the surface.

Fleshy fungi

Encountered in the forest, such as mushroom, toadstool, puffball, and bracket fungi.

Bracket

They appear as brackets and attach themselves to wood and other surfaces.

Blights/Rusts

Plant disease is caused by fungi, causing yellowing discoloration on the leaves of plants.

Mycotoxins

Fungal produce causes disease in humans and animals, some are highly toxic to the liver, spleen, and kidney.

Mycoses

It is caused by **Trichophyton**, **Candidiasis trush/vaginitis**. Yeasts or molds that cause infectious disease (athlete’s foot)

Dimorphic Fungi

Fungi that can exist as molds or yeast.

Lichens

Combination of two organisms (algae + fungus) in a symbiotic relationship

Slime molds

Started life as ameba that ingested bacteria and fungi through phagocytosis.