38 Questions
What are the basic needs of any organism?
Food, shelter, and maintenance of species
What is the term used to describe two organisms living in close association?
Symbiosis
What type of symbiotic relationship is characterized by one symbiont being mechanically carried by the other?
Phoresis
In which type of symbiotic relationship do both symbionts benefit from the association?
Mutualism
What is the term used to describe the outcome of interactions between symbionts?
Outcome
Who first described the concept of symbiosis?
A. de Bary
What is an example of mutualism in the context of parasitology?
Certain blood-digesting bacteria in the filarial nematode Wuchereria bancrofti
What is the literal meaning of the term 'symbiosis'?
Living together
What is the term that means 'eating at the same table' in a biological context?
Commensalism
Which type of parasite lives on the surface of its host?
Ectoparasite
What is the term for getting an endoparasite?
Infection
Which of the following is an example of a commensal relationship?
Humans and Entamoeba gingivalis
What is the primary way in which parasites harm their hosts?
All of the above
What is the term for the relationship in which one partner benefits and the other is harmed?
Parasitism
What is the term for getting an ectoparasite?
Infestation
Which of the following is NOT an example of a parasite?
Bacteria
What is the primary focus of the study of all ecological aspects of a disease in a population?
To explain its transmission, distribution, prevalence, and incidence
What is the term for the study of arthropods in the context of parasitology?
Entomology
What is the term for the study of worms in the context of parasitology?
Helminthology
What is the term for the study of primitive organisms in the context of parasitology?
Protozoology
What is the overarching term that encompasses the study of protozoa, helminths, and arthropods in the context of parasitology?
Parasitology
What is the primary focus of the study of ecological aspects of a disease in a population in relation to parasitology?
To explain the transmission, distribution, prevalence, and incidence of the disease
What is a reservoir in the context of parasites?
Any animal or environment in which the parasite can survive and reproduce
What is the term for the set of hosts that a parasite can use as a partner?
Host range
What is an example of a parasite with absolute host specificity?
Pork tapeworm in humans
What is the term for parasites that infect more than one host species to complete their life cycles?
Heteroxenous
What is the term for a sequence of phases of growth, reproduction, and transmission between different hosts and environments?
Life cycle
What is an example of a parasite that exhibits hyperparasitism?
Tapeworm larvae in fleas
What is the term for a parasite that infects a single species?
Homoxenous
What role does an arthropod play in the transmission of parasites?
Vector
What is the primary mode of transmission for Helminths ova or protozoan cysts?
Ingestion of contaminated food or water
What is the mode of transmission for Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm)?
Eating raw or undercooked meat
What is the mechanism of transmission for protozoan cysts by houseflies?
Mechanically by non-blood sucking insects
What is the mode of transmission for Heterophyes heterophyes?
Eating raw, undercooked or under-salted fish
What is the mode of transmission for Malaria?
Biologically by bite of blood-sucking insects
What is the mode of transmission for Trichomonas vaginalis?
Sexual contact
What is the mode of transmission for Scabies?
Direct contact with an infested person
What is the mode of transmission for Hymenolepis nana?
Ingestion of insect containing the infective stage
Study Notes
Basic Needs and Symbiosis
- Any organism requires food, shelter, and maintenance of species to survive.
- Symbiosis refers to the close association between two organisms, where one lives in or on the body of the other.
- There are three types of symbiotic relationships:
- Phoresis: one symbiont is mechanically carried by the other, with no physiological or biochemical dependence.
- Mutualism: both symbionts benefit from the association.
- Commensalism: one partner benefits, while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
- Parasitism: one partner, the parasite, harms or lives at the expense of the host.
Characteristics of Parasites
- Parasites can cause mechanical injury, stimulate a damaging inflammatory or immune response, and rob the host of nutrition.
- Most parasites inflict a combination of these conditions on their hosts.
Types of Parasites
- Ectoparasites live on the surface of their host, and getting them is called infestation.
- Endoparasites live in the body of their host, and getting them is called infection.
- Reservoirs are animals or environments in which parasites can survive and reproduce, potentially transmitting them to humans.
- Vectors are arthropods that transmit parasites to humans and their domestic animals.
Host Range and Life Cycles
- The host range of a parasite refers to the set of hosts it can use as a partner.
- Host specificity determines the range of hosts a parasite can infect.
- Some parasites have absolute host specificity, while others can infect multiple hosts.
- Hyperparasitism occurs when parasites host other parasites.
Life Cycles of Parasites
- Life cycles can be complex (heteroxenous) or direct (homoxenous).
- Complex life cycles require multiple host species to complete, while direct life cycles only require a single host species.
Modes of Transmission
- Contact transmission occurs through:
- Direct contact with an infested person.
- Indirect contact with contaminated items.
- Sexual contact.
- Ingestion transmission occurs through:
- Consuming contaminated food or water.
- Eating raw, undercooked, or under-salted meat or fish.
- Vector-borne transmission occurs through:
- Mechanical transmission by non-blood sucking insects.
- Biological transmission by the bite of blood-sucking insects.
- Ingestion of insects containing the infective stage.
Medical Parasitology and Ecology
- Medical parasitology is the study of all ecological aspects of disease to explain transmission, distribution, prevalence, and incidence in a population.
- The field involves the study of protozoology, helminthology, and entomology.
Definition of Protozoa
- Protozoa are single-celled organisms often referred to as "primitive" animals.
Learn about the basic necessities of life, including food and shelter, and understand the different types of symbiotic relationships between organisms.
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