FUNGI AND PROTOZOA

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167 Terms

1
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What are protozoa?

Eukaryotic microorganisms that are unicellular and microscopic.

2
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What is a notable characteristic of most protozoa?

They can move independently.

3
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Which genus of protozoa is known for both motility and photosynthesis?

Euglena.

4
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How do most protozoa reproduce?

Asexually, although sexual reproduction has been observed in some species.

5
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What type of respiration do most protozoa perform?

Most are aerobic, but some are anaerobic.

6
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In what types of habitats can protozoa be found?

Most moist habitats, including freshwater, marine environments, and decaying organic matter.

7
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What role do protozoa play in aquatic ecosystems?

They serve as zooplankton, forming the base of many food chains.

8
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What is the size range of protozoa?

They can vary from 1 to 150 μm, with most parasitic protozoa being less than 50 μm.

9
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What are the two forms that many protozoa alternate between?

A free-living vegetative form called a trophozoite and a resting form called a cyst.

10
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What is the function of a protozoal cyst?

It resists harsh environmental conditions, similar to a bacterial spore.

11
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How do protozoa obtain food?

Most are heterotrophic and obtain food particles by phagocytosis.

12
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What are the three types of locomotor organelles in protozoa?

Flagella, cilia, and pseudopodia.

13
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What taxonomic scheme did the Society of Protozoologists publish in 1985?

A scheme that distributed protozoa into six phyla.

14
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Which two phyla of protozoa contain the most important species causing human disease?

Sarcomastigophora and Apicomplexa.

15
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What was the previous classification of Dientamoeba fragilis before electron microscopy revealed its true nature?

It was thought to be an ameba and placed in the family Entamoebidae.

16
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What is the role of contractile vacuoles in protozoa?

To remove excess water from the cell.

17
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What is the function of food vacuoles in protozoa?

To digest nutrients ingested through phagocytosis.

18
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What is the significance of lysosomal enzymes in protozoa?

They digest nutrients within food vacuoles.

19
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What is the typical number of nuclei in protozoa?

Most have a single nucleus, but some have a macronucleus and one or more micronuclei.

20
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Where are some anaerobic protozoa found?

In the human intestine and animal rumen.

21
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What is the importance of protozoa in food webs?

They participate in many food webs as primary consumers.

22
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What is the significance of morphology in the classification of protozoa?

It is based on observations from light, electron, and scanning microscopy.

23
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What kingdom are all protozoal species assigned to in the Whittaker classification?

Kingdom Protista.

24
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What is the primary basis for the classification of protozoa?

How they move.

25
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What are the defining characteristics of Phylum Mastigophora?

Protozoa having one or more flagella, with reproduction generally occurring by fission.

26
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Give an example of a protozoan in Phylum Mastigophora that has a single flagellum.

Trypanosoma.

27
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What is a notable feature of flagellar motion in Mastigophora?

It tends to be jerky, allowing identification in live specimens.

28
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What is Euglena gracilis known for?

It is a flagellated organism with chlorophyll pigments for photosynthesis, classified as both a unicellular algae and a protozoan.

29
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What disease does Giardia lamblia cause?

Giardiasis, which leads to intestinal distress, flatulence, and abdominal distention.

30
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What sexually transmitted disease is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis?

Trichomoniasis.

31
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What are Trypanosomes and how are they transmitted?

Heteroxenous protozoa requiring more than one host, transmitted via blood-feeding invertebrates/insects.

32
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What disease is caused by Trypanosoma brucei and how is it transmitted?

Sleeping sickness, transmitted by the tse tse fly.

33
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What disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and how is it transmitted?

Chagas disease, transmitted by the kissing bug.

34
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What is Leishmania donovani known for?

Causing kala-azar or black disease, transmitted by sand flies.

35
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What is the movement mechanism of organisms in Phylum Sarcodina?

They move by pseudopodia.

36
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What is the asexual reproduction method of Sarcodina?

Fission of the cell.

37
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Name two marine groups included in Phylum Sarcodina.

Foraminiferans and radiolarians.

38
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What disease does Entamoeba histolytica cause?

Amoebic dysentery.

39
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What is the active stage of Entamoeba histolytica called?

Trophozoite.

40
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What can Entamoeba gingivalis cause?

Gingivitis.

41
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What is the significance of Entamoeba coli?

It is a harmless inhabitant of the colon.

42
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What diseases are caused by Acanthamoeba and Naegleria fowleri?

Meningoencephalitis.

43
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What serious condition can Acanthamoeba species cause in contact lens users?

Serious eye-threatening corneal ulcers.

44
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What disease is primarily caused by amoebas of the genus Naegleria?

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis, which is usually fatal.

45
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How are parasites from the genus Naegleria transmitted?

Through contaminated lens-cleaning solution.

46
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What is the main mode of movement for protozoa in the Phylum Ciliophora?

They move by means of cilia.

47
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What are the two types of nuclei found in Ciliophora protozoa?

Macronucleus and micronucleus.

48
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What is one method of reproduction in the Phylum Ciliophora?

Conjugation, along with transverse binary fission.

49
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What is Paramecium known for?

Its ability to conjugate and exchange genetic material.

50
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What is Balantidium coli and what does it cause?

The largest protozoan parasite affecting humans, causing ulcer formation and bloody diarrhea.

51
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What is a defining feature of the Phylum Apicomplexa?

Presence of an apical complex (polar ring/micronemes) at some stage.

52
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What is a common characteristic of all species in the Phylum Apicomplexa?

They are all parasitic and lack means of locomotion in the adult form.

53
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What important pathogen is associated with pneumonia in AIDS patients?

Pneumocystis carinii.

54
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Name two diseases caused by Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasmosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

55
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What is the primary disease caused by Plasmodium species?

Malaria.

56
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How many species of Plasmodium are known to infect humans?

At least 11 species.

57
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What are the two hosts in the life cycle of Plasmodium?

A vector, usually a mosquito, and a vertebrate host.

58
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Which genus of mosquito transmits the Plasmodium species causing malaria?

Anopheles.

59
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What is the classification of Microsporidia?

They are spore-forming unicellular parasites now known to be fungi or closely related to fungi.

60
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What is the typical host range for Microsporidia?

They infect a variety of animal hosts, primarily insects, crustaceans, and fish.

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How many named species of Microsporidia are there approximately?

About 1500 of the more than one million estimated species.

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What type of infections do Microsporidia typically cause in humans?

Opportunistic infections.

63
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What is the significance of the contractile vacuole in Ciliophora?

It is usually present and helps in osmoregulation.

64
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What is the life cycle stage that Apicomplexa members form?

Spores.

65
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What is the largest protozoan parasite affecting humans?

Balantidium coli.

66
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What is the result of Balantidium coli attacking the intestinal epithelium?

Ulcer formation leading to bloody diarrhea.

67
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What is the estimated number of species in the fungi kingdom?

Around 1.5 million species, with about 5% formally classified.

68
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How do fungi obtain nutrients?

By absorption of simple organic compounds.

69
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What are the two main reproductive methods of fungi?

Fungi reproduce by both sexual and asexual means.

70
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What is the study of fungi called?

Mycology.

71
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What are fungal diseases referred to as?

Mycoses.

72
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What role do fungi play in the ecosystem?

They are major decomposers of organic materials, recycling nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

73
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What are the two major groups of fungi?

Filamentous fungi (molds) and unicellular fungi (yeasts).

74
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What are hyphae?

Tubular, elongated, and thread-like structures that make up the body of most fungi.

75
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What is mycelium?

A tangled mass of hyphae visible to the unaided eye.

76
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What is the composition of the fungal cell wall?

Composed of glucans and chitin.

77
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What is ergosterol?

A sterol found in the cell membrane of fungi.

78
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What is the optimal pH for fungal growth?

About 5 (acidic pH).

79
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At what temperature do most fungi grow best?

About 25°C, except for pathogens which grow at 37°C.

80
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What type of environments do most fungi prefer?

Rich in organic matter and terrestrial environments.

81
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What are coenocytic fungi?

Fungi whose cytoplasm passes through and among cells of the hypha without interruption by cross walls.

82
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What are septate fungi?

Fungi that have cross walls (septa) dividing the hyphae into compartments.

83
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What is conidia?

The spore structure of fungi.

84
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How do yeasts differ from molds?

Yeasts are unicellular fungi with a single nucleus, while molds are filamentous.

85
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What is the growth rate of fungi compared to bacteria?

Fungi have a slower growth rate than bacteria.

86
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What is a dimorphic fungus?

A fungus that can switch between a yeast phase and a hyphal phase in response to environmental conditions.

87
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Where can fungi be found?

Fungi have a worldwide distribution and can grow in a wide range of habitats, including extreme environments.

88
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What is the significance of fungal diseases?

They can cause superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, systemic infections, and many plant diseases.

89
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What is the size range of hyphae?

Hyphae are cylindrical, thread-like structures 2-10 µm in diameter and can be several centimeters in length.

90
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What is the process by which new hyphae are formed?

By branching from existing hyphae or bifurcating tips.

91
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What are yeasts?

Microscopic, unicellular fungi with a single nucleus and eukaryotic organelles that reproduce asexually by budding.

92
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What is the process of budding in yeasts?

A new cell forms at the surface of the original cell, enlarges, and then breaks free to assume an independent existence.

93
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What are dimorphic fungi?

Fungi that can shift from the yeast form to the mold form and vice versa.

94
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How do fungal pathogens typically exist in the body?

Many exist in the yeast form but revert to the mold form in the laboratory when cultivated.

95
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What are the two main types of spores produced by fungi?

Asexual spores and sexual spores.

96
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What are conidia?

A type of asexual spore that is free and unprotected at the tips of hyphae.

97
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What are sporangiospores?

A type of asexual spore formed within a sac.

98
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Why are fungal spores important?

They are unique in shape, color, and size, aiding in the identification and classification of fungi.

99
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What is the significance of a single spore in fungi?

A single spore can germinate and reestablish the entire mycelium.

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What is asexual reproduction in fungi?

Occurs when spores form by mitosis, allowing more rapid dispersal than sexual reproduction.