Introduction to Parasitology

Vocabulary flashcards related to parasitology concepts

Parasite

A living organism that acquires some of its basic nutritional requirements through its intimate contact with another living organism.

Protozoan

Unicellular eukaryotic organisms (e.g., Plasmodium).

Metazoan

Multicellular eukaryotic organisms (e.g., helminths).

Endoparasite

A parasite that lives within another living organism.

Ectoparasite

A parasite that lives on the external surface of a living organism.

Direct Life Cycle

A parasite life cycle that involves only one host.

Indirect Life Cycle

A parasite life cycle that involves two or more hosts.

Definitive Host

The host in which the parasite reaches maturity and undergoes sexual reproduction.

Reservoir Host

A host that can harbor a pathogen, often with minimal effect.

Intermediate Host

The host in which the parasite usually undergoes asexual reproduction.

Vector

An intermediate host that actively transmits a parasite.

Zoonosis

A disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals.

Anthroponosis

A disease that is spread from humans to humans.

Eukaryota

The domain containing organisms with cells that have a membrane-bound nucleus.

Alveolata

A supergroup within Eukaryota that includes Apicomplexa.

Apicomplexa

A phylum of parasitic protozoa, characterized by an apical complex.

Helminth

A multicellular parasitic worm.

Nematode

A roundworm with a cylindrical body and a complete digestive system.

Cestode

A tapeworm, a type of flatworm with a segmented body.

Trematode

A fluke, a type of flatworm with a leaf-shaped body and suckers.

Schistosome

A type of trematode that is thread-like and has separate sexes.

Trophozoite

The active, feeding stage of a protozoan parasite.

Cyst

The dormant, environmentally resistant stage of a protozoan parasite.

Serology

The detection of antibodies or antigens in blood to diagnose parasitic infections.

Myiasis

Infestation of the body with fly larvae (maggots).

Flukes

Parasitic flatworms that infect the blood, the gastrointestinal tract, the lungs, or the liver.

Sporozoans

A group of parasitic protozoa that have an immobile adult stage.

Arthropods

A group of ectoparasites that include insects and arachnids.

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction - a molecular test to amplify and detect parasite DNA.

Eosinophils

A type of white blood cell associated with helminth infections and allergies.