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Questions and Answers
How can protozoa be classified?
How can protozoa be classified?
On the basis of how they move.
What type of locomotion is used by amoebas?
What type of locomotion is used by amoebas?
Amoeboid movement.
What is a ciliate?
What is a ciliate?
A group of protozoans that move by waving tiny, hair-like organelles called cilia.
What propels flagellate protozoans?
What propels flagellate protozoans?
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Define protozoa.
Define protozoa.
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What are algae?
What are algae?
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What are pseudopodia?
What are pseudopodia?
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How do protozoa reproduce?
How do protozoa reproduce?
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Name a genus of protozoan responsible for malaria.
Name a genus of protozoan responsible for malaria.
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What illness is caused by Toxoplasma gondii?
What illness is caused by Toxoplasma gondii?
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What type of illness does Trichomonas vaginalis cause?
What type of illness does Trichomonas vaginalis cause?
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What disease is linked to Trypanosoma brucei?
What disease is linked to Trypanosoma brucei?
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What do Entamoeba histolytica cause?
What do Entamoeba histolytica cause?
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What is the cause of Acantamoeba Keratitis?
What is the cause of Acantamoeba Keratitis?
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What are Apicomplexa?
What are Apicomplexa?
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What is unique about rhizopodia?
What is unique about rhizopodia?
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What are archaezoans known for?
What are archaezoans known for?
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Study Notes
Classification of Protozoa
- Protozoa classification is primarily based on types of locomotion.
Types of Movement
- Amoeboid movement: Characteristic of amoebas, involving the formation of pseudopodia.
- Ciliate: Protozoans using cilia for movement, exemplified by Paramecium.
- Flagellate: Protozoans that utilize one or more flagella for propulsion, such as Giardia.
Characterization of Protists
- Protozoa: Considered animal-like protists.
- Algae: Defined as plant-like protists.
Reproduction
- Protozoa predominantly reproduce through binary fission, a form of asexual reproduction.
Notable Protozoan Pathogens
- Plasmodium species: Causes malaria, transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito; characterized by blood infections leading to various symptoms, including severe forms by P. falciparum.
- Toxoplasma gondii: Causes toxoplasmosis, often asymptomatic but can affect immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women; commonly transmitted through cats.
- Trichomonas vaginalis: Flagellated organism causing trichomoniasis; symptoms include vaginitis and foul-smelling discharge; mainly asymptomatic in men.
Other Pathogenic Protozoa
- Trypanosoma brucei and T. cruzi: Cause trypanosomiasis, with brucei linked to sleeping sickness in Africa and cruzi to Chagas disease in the Americas; both are vector-borne.
- Entamoeba histolytica: Causes amoebiasis; cysts in contaminated water lead to intestinal symptoms.
- Naegleria and Acanthamoeba: Free-living amoebas responsible for brain infections and keratitis; associated with freshwater sources.
- Balantidium coli: Ciliated pathogen causing balantidiosis, linked to contaminated water from pigs and cattle.
- Giardia lamblia: First observed by Leeuwenhoek; causes giardiasis, presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Leishmania species: Cause leishmaniasis, either manifesting as skin lesions or organ involvement.
- Cryptosporidium: Causes cryptosporidiosis, associated with waterborne cholera-like diarrhea, particularly severe in immunocompromised individuals.
- Cyclospora cayetanensis: Linked to cyclosporiasis, commonly contracted from fresh produce and water.
Additional Conditions
- Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Infection of the cornea, often due to improper contact lens handling, can lead to severe complications.
- Apicomplexa: Group of obligate intracellular parasites, exemplified by Cryptosporidium, Plasmodium, and Toxoplasma, characterized by nonmotile adult forms and complex life cycles.
Protozoan Groups
- Rhizopodia: Includes amoebas utilizing pseudopodia for movement, alternating between trophozoite and cyst forms in their life cycle.
- Archaezoa: Characterized by spindle shape and flagella, commonly found in the digestive tracts of humans and animals; includes Trichomonas vaginalis and Giardia lamblia.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of protozoa with this flashcard quiz. Learn how these single-celled organisms are classified based on their movement types, including amoeboid, ciliate, and flagellate. Perfect for students studying biology or anyone interested in microbiology.
