Protists, Symbiosis, Malaria, and Human Genetics – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering nematocysts, flagellates, symbiosis types, malaria parasite life cycle, and sickle cell genetics.

ematocysts

Stinging structures in sea anemones and corals (as used in the notes).

Mastigophora

A group of organisms that possess flagella; ‘mastiggo’ means flagellum. Also known as mastigophora/mastigophera.

Mastiggo

An alternate name for a flagellum.

Flagellum

A whip-like locomotory organ; in Mastigophora, usually a longer, single appendage.

Cilia

Short, numerous locomotory appendages; structurally the same as flagella, but typically shorter and more numerous.

Zooflagellates

Animal-like flagellates.

Phytoflagellates

Plant-like flagellates.

Choanoflagellates

Animal-like flagellates with collar cells; closely related to sponges.

Symbiosis

Living together of different organisms in a close association.

Mutualism

A symbiosis in which both partners benefit.

Parasitism

A symbiosis where one partner benefits at the expense of the other.

Commensalism

A symbiosis where one partner benefits and the other is unaffected.

Trypanosoma

Genus of parasitic protozoa that causes African sleeping sickness; transmitted by the tsetse fly.

African sleeping sickness

Disease caused by Trypanosoma; transmitted by tsetse fly and affecting humans and some mammals.

Trichomonas

Genus of protozoa that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection.

Sporozoite

Malaria parasite stage injected by mosquitoes; travels to the liver to begin infection.

Cryptozoite

Liver-stage form of malaria parasite while hiding before attacking the bloodstream.

Merozoite

Malaria parasite stage that invades red blood cells, causing their destruction.

Gametocyte

Sexual stage of malaria parasite produced in the human host; taken up by mosquitoes to continue the cycle.

Plasmodium

Genus of parasites that cause malaria; life cycle includes sporozoite, merozoite, and gametocyte stages.

Malaria

A deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes, caused by Plasmodium species, involving multiple parasite life stages.

Sickle cell anemia

Genetic disorder where homozygous sickle alleles cause abnormal hemoglobin; heterozygotes have partial malaria protection in some regions; two sickle alleles lead to disease.

Allele

Different forms of the same gene.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a gene.

Anticoagulant

Substance in mosquito saliva that prevents blood clotting during feeding.