Questions and Answers
How can protozoa be classified?
On the basis of how they move.
What type of locomotion is used by amoebas?
Amoeboid movement.
What is a ciliate?
A group of protozoans that move by waving tiny, hair-like organelles called cilia.
What propels flagellate protozoans?
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Define protozoa.
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What are algae?
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What are pseudopodia?
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How do protozoa reproduce?
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Name a genus of protozoan responsible for malaria.
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What illness is caused by Toxoplasma gondii?
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What type of illness does Trichomonas vaginalis cause?
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What disease is linked to Trypanosoma brucei?
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What do Entamoeba histolytica cause?
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What is the cause of Acantamoeba Keratitis?
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What are Apicomplexa?
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What is unique about rhizopodia?
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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.
