Parasitology Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which arthropod is known to transmit Trypanosoma cruzi?

Mosquito

Triatoma bug (correct)

Cockroach

Sandfly

What characteristic distinguishes mechanical vectors from biological vectors?

They exclusively transmit viruses.

They multiply pathogens inside their bodies.

They serve merely as contaminators. (correct)

They do not carry pathogens at all.

Which animal is directly associated with Toxoplasma infection?

Cockroaches

Cats (correct)

House rats

Dogs

How does the transmission of Hymenolepis nana occur?

Through rats Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following vectors is known for transmitting malaria?

Mosquito Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the role of intermediate hosts in parasitic transmission?

They serve as temporary habitat for developmental forms of the parasite. Signup and view all the answers

What type of organism are sandflies primarily associated with?

Leishmania Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of parasitology?

The relationships between parasites and their hosts Signup and view all the answers

What is a common way that the immediate environment can facilitate the transmission of parasites?

Through contaminated water. Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a relationship where both organisms benefit?

Mutualism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes commensalism?

One organism benefits without affecting the other Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes protozoans?

They are small and unicellular organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about helminthology is true?

It involves the study of worms visible to the naked eye Signup and view all the answers

What does parasitism entail?

One organism harms the other while benefiting Signup and view all the answers

In the context of termites and flagellates, what role do flagellates play?

They help synthesize cellulase to digest wood Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Entamoeba coli and the host?

Entamoeba coli occupies the host without any harm Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of pseudopodia in protozoans?

Locomotion and engulfment of food Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes trophozoites?

Motile form of protozoa Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment do most protozoans require for their survival?

Wet environments Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT typically associated with locomotion in protozoans?

Cell wall Signup and view all the answers

What role does the plasma membrane play in protozoans?

Controls secretions and excretions Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the infective stage formed by protozoans that can withstand environmental changes?

Cyst Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about protozoan locomotion is incorrect?

Undulating membranes are not used for locomotion. Signup and view all the answers

Which locomotion structure is characterized as having a finger-like appearance?

Pseudopodia Signup and view all the answers

What does selective treatment aim to do?

Administer treatment based on diagnosis or presumptive grounds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines egg reduction rate?

The percentage fall in egg counts after deworming Signup and view all the answers

Hypersensitisation to anaphylactic shock is associated with what type of substance?

Foreign substance Signup and view all the answers

What is the usual method to express the cure rate from deworming?

Percentage of egg-negative subjects after treatment Signup and view all the answers

What does deprivation of the host's essential nutrients refer to in parasitic infections?

Competition between the parasite and host for nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the examination of stool or urine samples in deworming?

To assess the effectiveness of deworming treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about individual-level deworming is true?

It targets individuals based on diagnostic findings or presumptive grounds Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens after deworming concerning egg counts?

Egg counts typically decrease Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pus is associated with liquefied necrotic liver tissue?

Chocolate pus Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for amoebiasis that involves distant organs through hematogenous spread or lymphatics?

Metastatic amoebiasis Signup and view all the answers

Which organ is NOT commonly associated with abscess formation in metastatic amoebiasis?

Heart Signup and view all the answers

What is a key virulence factor produced by microorganisms?

Molecule attachment to immune cells Signup and view all the answers

What type of amoebiasis affects the lungs?

Pulmonary amoebiasis Signup and view all the answers

Which staining method differentiates Entamoeba spp. from white blood cells?

Saline + methylene blue Signup and view all the answers

What can severe destruction of brain tissue in amoebic brain infections lead to?

Neurological damage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common complication of amoebiasis?

Splenic abscess Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Parasitology

The study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them
Is a branch of biology or medicine concerned with the study of parasitic organisms

Types of Symbiosis

Mutualism: Two organisms mutually benefit from each other.
- Example: Termites and flagellates. Termites provide habitat for flagellates, and flagellates digest wood for termites.
Commensalism: One organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefitted.
- Example: Entamoeba coli lives in the intestinal lumen without causing harm to the host.
Parasitism: One organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host.
- Example: Many parasites, like Trypanosoma cruzi, rely on hosts for survival.

Divisions of Parasitology

Protozoology: The study of protozoans (single-celled organisms).
Helminthology: The study of worms (multicellular organisms).
Medical Entomology: Study of insects and arthropods in the context of parasitic infections.

Vectors of Parasites

Biological vectors: Host organisms that allow parasites to multiply and develop within their bodies.
- Examples: Mosquitoes (malaria and filarial parasites), Triatoma bugs (Trypanosoma cruzi infection), Sandflies (Leishmania infection).
Mechanical vectors: Organisms that simply carry parasites without allowing them to multiply or develop.
- Examples: Cockroaches, house flies, fleas, beetles, crabs.

Modes of Transmission

Soil transmitted: Parasites acquired from contaminated soil.
Foreign substance transmission: May lead to hypersensitivity reactions.

Clinical Importance of Parasites

Deprivation of host nutrients: Parasites compete with their host for essential nutrients.
Tissue damage: Parasites can cause damage to host tissues.
Immune response: Host immune responses to parasites can cause inflammation and other symptoms.

Protozoa

Protozoan parasites are unicellular organisms that cause infections.
Characteristics: Possess a nucleus, cytoplasm, an outer membrane, and specialized organelles.
Locomotion: Protozoans may move using cilia, flagella, or pseudopodia.
Life cycle: Protozoans often have both a motile (trophozoite) stage and a resistant (cyst) stage.

Entamoeba histolytica

Virulence factors: Molecules produced by E. histolytica that contribute to its ability to infect and cause disease.
Pathogenesis: E. histolytica can cause amoebiasis, which can manifest as dysentery, abscesses in various organs, and potentially fatal infections.

Diagnosing Amoeba

Microscopy: Microscopic examination of stool samples to identify amoebas.
- Entamoeba spp. stain blue with saline + methylene blue.
- Iodine staining is used to differentiate E. histolytica from other non-pathogenic amoebas.

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Description

Test your knowledge on parasitology, the branch of biology that studies parasites and their relationships with hosts. This quiz covers the types of symbiosis, divisions of parasitology, and examples of mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Perfect for students and enthusiasts in biology and medicine.