parasitology terms

symbiosis

a relationship where species can't exist independantly. They both have benefits from it.

commensalism

one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

parasitism

A parasite can not live without host. Parasite benefits but host is harmed.

definitive host

host in which parasite reaches sexual maturity

intermediate host

an organism that supports the immature or nonreproductive forms of a parasite.

reservoir host

An organism that naturally harbours a pathogen long‑term and serves as a source of infection.

invasive form

The form of the parasite that invades the host

pathogenic form

Form of parasite that causes disease

cyst

a 2 layer wrap oval structure which serves a stage of development or as type of reproduction

pseudopodia

false feet- cellular extensions used as a locomotor

cilia

hair like projections of a cell that move in wave like motion

flagella

long threadlike filaments on the surface of parasites that serve as organs of locomotion

undulating membrane

a locomotory organelle of some flagellates composed of a thin layer of cytoplasm

Hemoflagellates

flagellates found in blood and tissues

lumen dwelling flagellates

flagellates found in gastrointestinal and urogenital tract

kinetoplast

consists of a parabasal body and blepharoplast that are connected by one or more thin fibrils.

Blepharoplast

the basal body origin of the flagella that supports the undulating membrane in kinetoplastid flagellates

amastigote

round-shaped morphological form without any external flagella

promastigote

elongated form without undulating memebrane

epimastigote

More elongated form with short undulating membrane that starts from a posterior kinetoplast before emerging as a flagellum from the anterior end

Trypomastigote

elongate, kinetoplast very posterior, undulating membrane long

antigenic variation

constant change of parasite's surface molecules for evading the immune respone of the host

Chagoma

A firm raised swelling at bite site by reduvvid bug that transmits Chagas disease.

Schizogony

an asexual stage in the development of sporozoan parasites occurring in humans which act as the intermediate host

sporogony

The asexual process of spore formation in parasitic sporozoans

ookinete

mobile, elongated zygote of a Plasmodium or related organism

Hypnozoites (bradysoite)

a slowly multiplying encysted form of the sporozoan parasite, dormant stage of development

tachysoite

A rapidly dividing motile form of sporozoan parasites

Hermaphroditic

female and male reproductive systems presented in one organism

Monoecious

having both the male and female reproductive organs in the same individual; hermaphrodite.

Dioecious

organisms with separate sexes

helminth

parasitic worm

sclolex

head of adult taenia

strobila

trunk of a worm composed by chain of segments

proglottid

a segment, part of strobila

Oncosphere

embryo inside the taenia egg

Oviparous

worms producing eggs

Viviparous

worms giving birth to larvae

ovoviviparous

worms laying eggs which contain larvae that immediately hatch out

moulting

A process of resorption of the old cuticle, expansion and hardening of a new cuticle.

hypostome

A toothed appendage on the mouth of arthropodes

chelicera

A pair of appendages in front of the mouth usually modified as pincer like claws

Pedipalps

second pair of appendages