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Questions and Answers
What defines a parasite?
Which of the following is a protozoan parasite responsible for malaria?
What type of parasite is Leishmania?
What are helminths primarily known as?
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Which organism is known to cause dysentery?
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Ectoparasites include which of the following?
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Medical parasitology focuses on what aspect of parasitology?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of parasites?
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Study Notes
Overview of Parasitology
- Parasitology studies the relationships between parasites and their hosts, highlighting their life cycles and metabolic dependencies.
- Parasites can be unicellular (e.g., protozoans) or multicellular (e.g., intestinal worms).
Types of Parasites Infecting Humans
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Plasmodium spp.: Responsible for malaria; includes species such as:
- P. falciparum
- P. malariae
- P. vivax
- P. ovale
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Leishmania: Unicellular organisms that cause leishmaniasis.
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Intestinal Parasites:
- Entamoeba: Causes dysentery.
- Giardia: Leads to diarrhea.
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Helminths (Intestinal Worms):
- Schistosoma spp.
- Wuchereria bancrofti
- Necator americanus (hookworm)
- Taenia spp. (tapeworm)
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Ectoparasites: Includes ticks, scabies, and lice.
Medical Parasitology
- Focuses on human-infecting parasites, encompassing aspects of disease causation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
- Highlights the significance of understanding the interactions between parasites and their hosts beyond the notion of "creepy crawlies."
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Description
Dive into the captivating world of parasitology, a branch of biology that examines the complex interactions between parasites and their hosts. Learn about the different types of parasites, including unicellular and multicellular forms, and their impact on human health.
